United News of Bangladesh

Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque on Tuesday said the current leadership of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would bring greater dynamism to the development of cricket in the country, with particular emphasis on strengthening the national team's batting unit. Replying to a tabled question from Cumilla-9 MP Abul Kalam in Parliament, the minister said the BCB had adopted a long-term strategy to improve the technical, tactical and mental skills of batsmen from age-group teams through to the High Performance unit, Bangladesh 'A' team and the national side. Abul Kalam had asked what measures the government had taken to address the recurring batting failures of the national cricket team and identify weaknesses to enhance Bangladesh's international standing. In response, Aminul said a cricket team's success depended on collective performances in batting, bowling and fielding, requiring sustained long-term planning. He said the BCB was regularly appointing experienced local and international coaches, physiotherapists, trainers and analysts while conducting continuous training, technology-based performance analysis and monitoring programmes to improve batting standards. "As a result, several positive outcomes have already become visible in recent times," he said. The minister said Bangladesh had been producing competitive performances across all formats of international cricket and had recently secured important victories and series wins against strong teams such as Pakistan and Australia. He also highlighted the achievements of the Bangladesh women's national team, including their victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Aminul said national team batsmen had also contributed match-winning innings on various occasions, while emerging players from age-group competitions, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the Dhaka Premier League and other domestic tournaments were strengthening the national batting line-up. FIFA ranking Responding to a question from NCP MP Hasnat Abdullah, the minister said Bangladesh currently ranked 181st in the FIFA rankings, improving from 192nd in 2023. He said FIFA rankings largely depended on the number of international matches played, the quality of opponents and results achieved. While leading football nations typically play between 12 and 15 international matches annually, Bangladesh played only eight internationals in 2025, he said. Aminul attributed the limited number of matches to financial constraints, noting that the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) relied on funding from FIFA, the AFC and sponsors, while organising international fixtures and overseas tours remained expensive. He said Bangladesh's ranking could improve further by playing more international matches and achieving positive results against stronger opponents. The minister also pointed to recent progress in the national football team, saying the inclusion of expatriate footballers Hamza Choudhury, Somit Som and Fahmidul Islam had strengthened the squad. He noted that Bangladesh defeated European nation San Marino 2-1 on June 5 during an overseas tour, describing it as the country's first-ever victory over a European team, that was notched up after the BNP government assumed office. The result generated fresh enthusiasm among football supporters, Aminul said. Reviving kabaddi Replying to a question from reserved-seat MP Selina Sultana, Aminul acknowledged that although kabaddi remained Bangladesh's national sport, its popularity among younger generations had declined. He said the ministry had taken regular initiatives to revive the sport by making the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation more active and organising competitions at the local level. The minister said many successful kabaddi players had been brought under the government's sports allowance programme, while the ministry was considering expanding training and other support to improve their performance. He also said the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education had been requested to make sports compulsory from Class IV and include football, cricket, kabaddi, swimming and athletics in the national curriculum. Youth employment Responding to a question from Jamaat MP Syed Zainul Abedin, the minister said trained young men and women could receive loans ranging from Tk100,000 to Tk500,000 under the Department of Youth Development's credit programme to establish or expand self-employment ventures based on demand. He said the ministry was implementing several projects in Dhaka and other metropolitan areas to create employment opportunities, including mobile phone servicing and foreign language training, caregiver training with overseas employment prospects, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based skills development for IT-literate youth.

The government is implementing 10 projects while has taken initiatives to implement six others to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among unemployed youths across the country, said State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque on Tuesday in Parliament. “Under the Department of Youth Development, 10 projects are currently being implemented across the country with the objective of creating self-employment and employment and developing entrepreneurship among unemployed youths,” he said. The state minister said this replying to a scripted question from ruling party lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman Babul (Jamalpur-3). The parliamentary session resumed around 11am on Tuesday with Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair. Aminul informed the House that the ongoing ten projects include the Technology Empowerment Centre on Wheels for the Underprivileged Rural People of Bangladesh (2nd Phase); Integrated Resource Management through Extensive Technology for Poverty Alleviation (3rd Phase), 1st revised; Life Skills Education at Youth Training Center and Strengthening the National Youth Platform (LYTC & SNYP Life Skills Project); and Economic Acceleration and Resilience for NEET (EARN). Other projects are Leaving No One Behind: Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Cox’s Bazar (ISEC); Feasibility Study for New Projects of DYD; Expansion and Modernisation of the Central Human Resource Development Centre; Capacity Enhancement of the Department of Youth Development for Providing ICT Training in 64 Districts (2nd Phase); Freelancing Training for Educated Job-Seeking Youths in All 64 Districts; and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Skills Development for ICT-Skilled Youths. The state minister also said the Department of Youth Development has also taken initiatives to implement six priority projects that can be executed quickly and create visible impacts on self-employment and employment by transforming unemployed youths into skilled human resources. The six projects include: Strengthening Upazila-level Training Activities for Employment and Self-employment (2nd Phase); Vehicle Driving Training Project (2nd Phase); Caregiver Development Project for Providing Services to Physically and Mentally Disabled Citizens; Freelancing Training for Unemployed Youths in All Metropolitan Cities; and Mobile Servicing and Language Training for Unemployed Youths in Metropolitan Cities to Facilitate Employment at Home and Abroad.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque on Monday told Parliament that the current government has taken a plan to build sports villages in 64 districts of the country. “The present government has a plan to build sports villages in 64 districts of the country as per its election manifesto. There will be arrangements for the development of cricket under this plan,” he said while replying to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Mohammed Fakhrul Islam (Noakhali-5) in the House. Earlier, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, tabled the question-and-answer session at the outset of Monday’s sitting. The state minister also said the government has initiated the process of undertaking a project titled "Construction of an International Standard Sports Tourism Complex in Cox's Bazar District". Under this project, an international standard cricket stadium will be constructed in Cox's Bazar district, he said. Besides, a plan has been taken to build an international standard cricket stadium in Purbachal, Dhaka, said Aminul Haque.

A recent statement by the state minister for sports and youth affairs, Aminul Haque, regarding Zaima Rahman’s early involvement in football, has drawn widespread public attention, prompting further clarification and renewed discussion about youth sports development. The former goalkeeper of the national football team claimed that Zaima Rahman, who is the only daughter of current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, once had the opportunity to play for the Chelsea Football Club in the United Kingdom. According to the state minister, she was a very talented athlete, and described her as a promising goalkeeper during her early years, noting her height and athletic aptitude for the position. The comments generated considerable discussion online, with many questioning the claim in the context of Bangladesh’s limited historical representation in top-tier English football. But as the debate online continued, a voice from the past came forward to provide the context. A former coach, Mohammad Hakim, who trained Zaima during her time at the International School Dhaka (ISD), shared recollections and archival photographs of her participation in school-level football.

With the inception of cricket, football lost its appeal in Bangladesh. However, football was the 'first love' for all in the post-independence of Bangladesh. Today's generation will never know the madness of football in the 80s to 90s. In recent days, cricket grabbed that place. Nevertheless, few Bangladeshi footballers from this generation, such as Jamal Bhuyan and Mamunul Islam, have been trying to bring back those golden days. It is not sure if they can create the charm, but the 90s kind will never forget those days. Here we have listed 10 Bangladeshi footballers of all time, those who shined when needed.  Best Footballers in Bangladesh Monem Munna Munna is a legendary Bangladeshi player who took football to another level, both local and internal. Munna started football when he was in school at Narayanganj Zilla School. Later he joined Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in 1983 and started playing soccer professionally. He played for different clubs, including Brothers Union, Abahani Limited Dhaka, and Kolkata's East Bengal F.C. Besides, the clubs Munna also contributed to Bangladesh's national football team from 1986 to 1997. He was a captain of the Bangladesh national team three times. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh won its first-ever international trophy in 1995 in Myanmar. Also read: How to become a professional footballer in Bangladesh: An overall guideline Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir Sabbir was one of the top players in Bangladesh during the 1980s and 1990s. Besides club football, he also appeared in Bangladesh national football several times and played in the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds. Sabbir started his Pro football career with Mohammedan Sporting Club in 1987 and played a significant role in Mohammedan winning the Dhaka league title and Federation cup. In his national team appearance, Sabbir paired with Abahani striker Aslam and produced many important goals for Bangladesh. Due to his outstanding performance, Calcutta MSC invited him to play with them briefly in 1991. Read  Lionel Messi: The Argentine Football Star’s Most Unbreakable Records Sheikh Mohammad Aslam Mohammad Aslam was known as Aslam and was one of the most lethal strikers in Bangladesh during the 1980s and 1990s. He gained all his fame while playing for Abahani Krira Chakra, one of the top football clubs in Bangladesh. During his days with Abahani, Aslam was the top scorer in most of the season. Aslam's contribution to the national team started through his appearance in the National U-19 team in 1980. Later he was added to the regular national team and shined throughout the 1980s. Kaisar Hamid Kaisar Hamid was known for his central defending skills, and he was the top central defender in the 1980s and 1980s. He played for the Mohammedan and had a great performance for the club in the 1988–89 Asian Club Championship. Kaisar's role for the national team was undeniable, and in 2003 he achieved Bangladesh's National Sports Award. However, Hamid started his career with Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society as a right-wing back. Apart from Mohammedan, Hamid also played with Calcutta MSC in 1991. Read: Summer Window 2021: Five Potential Big Football Transfers  Jahid Hasan Ameli Ameli is holding the top scorer record for the Bangladesh national football team. Ameli played for several football clubs in his eventful career, including Abahani, Mohammedan, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Muktijoddha Sangsad KS, and Sheikh Russel KC. Although Ameli played for five different clubs, he continued his outstanding playing with all clubs. Furthermore, he won the league title with two different clubs while achieving runner-up for two clubs. Aminul Haque Aminul Haque is considered as the "Greatest Goalkeeper of All Time of Bangladesh." Aminul started his football career with Mohammedan in 1994. However, he could not make the first eleven. Eventually, he left Mohammedan and joined Farashganj after trying with Mohammedan for two years. Later, Aminul played for Muktijoddha, Brothers Union, and Mohammedan. His incredible performance in 2004 drew attention to English Premier League football club Newcastle United, and they offered him to play. Unfortunately, the deal did not see the ray of hope due to miscommunication. However, he played for several international clubs in Malaysia, India, and Saudi Arabia. He showed some heroic performances for the national team. Aminul's most notable national appearance is against the Maldives at the finals of the 2003 SAFF Championship.  Read: How Can Bangladesh directly qualify for the world cup 2023? Biplob Bhattacharya Biplob started his career at 18 as a goalkeeper, who then served as goalkeeping coach. His club debut was with Arambagh KS in 1997, and he played six years before joining the Brothers Union in 2004. Later, he also played with Mohammedan, Abahani, and Sheikh Russel. In his first season, his fabulous performance with Arambagh landed him on the Bangladesh national football team in early 1997, and he played for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Later he played at the 2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup. Further, he also appeared in many games for Bangladesh. Alfaz Ahmed Alfaz Ahmed had a long football career for years and is considered one of the finest Bangaddeshi strikers. He shined for both the national team and club games. His performance in 1995-1996 awarded him the "AFC's player of the month" as he scored four goals, including a hattrick in the AFC Cup. Alfaz also made several appearances for the national team, notably in Grand Royal Challenge Cup in Myanmar in 1995, then SAFF Games in Nepal in 1999, and 2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup. Mamunul Islam Mamunul is the new sensation of Bangladesh' football. Born in 1988, Mamunul is playing for Dhaka Abahani Limited and on the active roster in the national football team. So far, he achieved five league titles with three different clubs. However, Mamunul Islam debuted with the Brothers Union; he played for six different local clubs and one Kolkata's club. However, Mamunul doesn't have any notable performance with the national team. Read The most famous Bangladeshi female athletes of all time. Jamal Bhuyan Jamal Harris Bhuyan is the role model for the current generation who watches football. This Denmark-born Bangladeshi player left his country of birth to play for the Bangladesh national football team and debuted in 2013 in the 2013 SAAF Championship. He is an active player and already contributed enormously to Bangladesh's football. With Jamal's help, Bangladesh reached the round of 16 in the 2018 Asian Games and which is the first time Bangladesh made the knockout stage in the Asian games. Bottom Line Bangladesh has passed its golden days in football. And it seems those days become a history that will not come back anytime soon. Still, we hope football will come back to life again. This is the wish that the football stadium will be full to the brim again. Read How to become a professional footballer in Bangladesh: An overall guideline.