Muktijodha Sangsad goalkeeper Aminul (down) being assisted by his teammate and reserve custodian Titumeer during a training session on Thursday. Photo from thedailystar.net

DHAKA: Former Bangladesh national players have acclaimed the launch of the Bangladesh Professional Football League as a milestone in the country’s football history.

The maiden professional league will get underway on Friday under the aegis of AFC’s Vision Bangladesh project with a match between Abahani Dhaka and Muktijodha Sangsad at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here.

Salam Morshedi, who set the still-standing record of the highest number of goals in one season when he struck 27 in 1982, said both clubs and players would benefit from the pro league. “The Bangladesh Pro League will is a momentous step and will help to bring back the crowds,” said Morshedi, who represented the national team from 1978 to 1986 and played for Azad Sporting, BGMC and Mohammedan Sporting clubs during his heyday.

Mohammed Abu Yousuf, former national team defender and now coach of Muktijodha Sangsad, noted that the grassroots development programme and the professional league had made a positive impact on football in Bangladesh.

“AFC has launched its grassroots and youth programme and now the launch of the professional league shows the commitment of the clubs and federation,” said Yousuf. This will produce the desired results.”

Rumman Bin Wali Shabbir, who represented the country from 1987 to 1994 and played for Dhanmondi and Dhaka Mohammedan clubs, said: “The launch of the new league is a step in the right direction and the clubs will rapidly improve because of this. The clubs and the Bangladesh Football Federation have taken a big stride by launching the league and I am hopeful of its success.”

Another national team veteran, K. Wasim Iqbal, who played for Brothers Union and Abahani, said: “The clubs are new to the professional set-up but it will give good results in the near future.”