ASM Shahjahan, who was the adviser to the Youth and Sports Ministry in the Latifur Rahman-led caretaker government, even removed popular Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Saber Hossain Chowdhury with a bureaucrat.

There was hardly any allegation against Saber but the then sports adviser did not hesitate to give the caretaker government a clean image by detaching him from his duty as well as other presidents of major federations including football.

The speculation is rife that the sports ministry has been in the process to prepare a list, but the unnecessary delay cast growing concern among the sports lovers who feel the current adviser to Youth and Sports, CM Shafi Sami, should immediately remove those 'hand picked' faces including the president of Bangladesh Cricket Board Ali Asghar.

Asghar is not only an influential BNP lawmaker but also the custodian of the famed 'Hawa Bhaban'. Besides, he has been in the centre of controversy ever since the board started its campaign to find a future TV sponsor of all the international home matches for the next five years. It may be mentioned that the board is now in the process of striking the biggest TV deal worth nearly Tk 400 crore (56.88 million dollars) but his presence evoked widespread criticism because of his previous shady affair with little known Aston Moore and the 'infamous' revised contract he signed with ESPN-Star Sports after being appointed by BNP at the hot seat of the most affluent federation.

Awami League also demanded a similar move from the caretaker government as soon as possible.

"All the appointments at sports federations by the last government under political consideration have to be removed in resemblance to the neutral character of the caretaker government," told Awami League joint-secretary and former Youth and Sports Minister Obaidul Quader at a press briefing at the AL Chief's office yesterday.

"Last time, the caretaker government did it pretty quickly but now, it has been over two weeks and we have seen no action," he said.

"We think the caretaker government should also bar the federations from holding elections until a government is in the seat. It should also not allow any new appointments, reshuffles or make any financial deals locally or internationally apart from running the games."

Quader particularly told that they are worried about BCB's Worldwide Marketing Agency Rights deal, which awaits the nod from the Ministry after an open tender was held on Thursday.

"We want the board to make public the clauses of the deal. The huge difference of the bid between two companies has raised questions about its transparency. It is also surprising to see why only two companies joined the bid although six had bought tender forms.

"With an ex-MP of BNP (Ali Asghar) at the helm of the board, we don't think it would be fair if he manages to sign the deal in the end. A neutral person should be the BCB chief when the deal is finalised. It is a matter of principle."

AL's Youth and Sports secretary Dewan Shafiul Arefin Tutul also attended the briefing.