Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh Sets September 4 Election Date Amid Revitalization Efforts

The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) is set to hold its elections on September 4, marking a significant step towards revitalizing the organization. Preparations are already in full swing for the election process.

The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh has announced that its election will be held on September 4 © Cricbuzz

Election Commission Established

CWAB has established a three-member election commission to ensure a fair and transparent process. The commission is headed by Iftikhar Rahman Mithu, with former national captain Habibul Bashar and ex-wicketkeeper Nasir Ahmed Nasu serving as members. Their responsibility is to oversee the entire election process in accordance with CWAB's regulations.

Meeting and Key Decisions

The announcement follows a crucial meeting held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. This meeting saw participation from current and former cricketers with the objective of revitalizing the players' body. Selim Shahed, a member of CWAB's ad-hoc committee, stated that the election date has been set for September 4. Discussions during the meeting covered the entire process, from membership enrollment to the collection and submission of nomination forms.

Permanent Office Secured

A long-standing issue for CWAB was the lack of a permanent office. Selim Shahed confirmed that CWAB now has a permanent office at the SBNS, allocated by the NSC. This new space will serve as CWAB's official address for all operational and registration-related work.

Independence and Welfare Focus

Selim Shahed emphasized CWAB's independence and its primary focus on the welfare of cricketers. He clarified that CWAB is not a trade union but a welfare association. He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Sports Council (NSC), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for their support.

Voting Eligibility

The criteria for voting eligibility in the CWAB elections have been clearly defined. All players registered with the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) since 1975 will be eligible to become lifetime members with voting rights. Current and former national and first-class players who are permanent CWAB members will also be able to vote.

Conflict of Interest Prevention: To avoid any conflict of interest, any CWAB member holding a formal position in the BCB will be disqualified from voting.

Ensuring Welfare and Timely Payments

CWAB's renewed commitment is centered on ensuring the welfare of cricketers at all stages of their careers. A key focus is to ensure that proper contracts are in place and that players receive their dues on time. Many players face payment issues during tournaments due to improper or missing contracts, and CWAB aims to address this.

Training Centers for Retired Players

CWAB plans to establish training centers to help retired players develop skills in areas like coaching or journalism. The goal is to help them remain active and engaged after retirement, ensuring that no one is left unemployed after their cricket career ends. A three-tier structure is being developed to represent current, recently retired, and long-retired players.

Player Involvement and Responsibility

Former national batter Mohammad Mithun highlighted the increased involvement of current players in CWAB. He emphasized that players from all regions and divisions are now taking on more responsibility, stating that the players must own the failure if cricket does not move forward.

Opportunity for Genuine Representation

Mithun stressed that the upcoming election is an opportunity for players to choose genuine representatives who will work in their best interest. The election is open to everyone, and players are encouraged to vote for the person they believe will best represent them.

Potential Candidates

Speculation is growing that Tamim Iqbal may be a contender for the CWAB presidency, although no official confirmation has been made.