Rumana, Nigar flag gender bias; CWAB convener says women can contest polls

The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has been accused of gender bias by national women cricketers Rumana Ahmed and Nigar Sultana. CWAB convener Selim Shahed has dismissed the allegations, stating that women cricketers can take part in the forthcoming election.

Shahed said that all former national players, male or female, can become life members by paying the required fees, and whoever is registered with the Cricket Development Committee of Bangladesh (CCDM) can become a member of CWAB by paying the required fees. He added that any cricketer earning the voting right can take part in the CWAB election, and there is no rule that women cricketers cannot contest the election.

Rumana Ahmed, a former national women's cricketer, had criticized CWAB on social media, saying that women cricketers are not given the same respect as men cricketers. She pointed out that women cricketers are not included in discussions at the board level and are not given the same opportunities as men cricketers.

Shahed, however, brushed aside the allegations, saying that CWAB is open to women cricketers and that they can become life members or permanent members by paying the required fees. He also said that women cricketers can contest the election if they wish to do so.

CWAB Membership Guidelines

According to the constitution, there will be a Membership Sub-Committee consisting of a minimum of three members to ensure the membership guidelines are followed for initial verifications.

All permanent and life members can exercise their voting rights and compete in the CWAB elections based on the approval of the Membership Sub-Committee and the Election Commission.

The membership fees for CWAB are as follows:

• Life membership: 1,00,000 Taka for former players with CCDM registration, and 50,000 Taka for former national players.
• Permanent membership: 5,000 Taka for initial registration, and 5,000 Taka per year for former national players, first-class players, and Premier League players.
• Associate membership: 2,000 Taka as entrance fees, and 1,200 Taka per year as a subscription.