A sweeping resignation rally is deepening the leadership crisis at the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), with eight executive members stepping down in less than a year.
The exodus accelerated this week, with three officials resigning on each of the past two days. The wave continued Thursday when vice-president Major General (Retd) Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury and executive member Farhad Jesmin Liti quit.
Chowdhury, who was dropped from the Bangladesh Athletics Federation during an 18 July ad-hoc committee shuffle but remained a BOA vice-president, cited new professional commitments.
"Earlier this month, I joined the Bangladesh University of Professionals as Pro-Vice Chancellor," Chowdhury said. "It is difficult for me to commit time and work for the Olympic Association. That is why I submitted my resignation today."
Liti also stepped down for personal reasons.
The walkouts triggered an urgent 90-minute meeting Thursday afternoon in Secretary General Jubaidur Rahman Rana's office. Over ten executive members attended. However, apart from Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu, none currently hold positions in any national federation.
"Six people resigned over the last two days, and more resigned today," Rana said. "Everyone was asking what happens next. We sat together, read the constitution, and decided the resignation letters will be raised at the upcoming executive committee meeting. If accepted, we will inform the IOC and take the next steps according to IOC guidelines."
The crisis stems from the 18 July overhaul of 28 federations. Most newly appointed federation leaders lack seats on the 37-member BOA executive committee, creating a representation crisis. Yesterday, BOA Director General Brigadier General ABM Shefaul Kabir sent letters asking federations to update their councillor lists—a move Rana claims he was entirely unaware of.
Formed on 30 November for a four-year term, the current committee faced criticism from the start. Post-5 August, Rana, acting as convener, and vice-president Major Imroze Ahmed led a search committee that restructured all federations except football and cricket. Most of their nominees became BOA councillors, prompting former National Sports Council director Aminul Ehsan to formally report a conflict of interest to the Olympic election commission.
Insiders predict the resignation rally will only swell before the next board meeting.