Fresh from battling it out on the global stage, Bangladesh’s under-15 football team touched down in Dhaka from Baku, Azerbaijan, receiving a rapturous welcome at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) headquarters. Organised by FIFA, the prestigious tournament saw young talents from across the globe gather to showcase their skills, with Bangladesh clinching the runners-up position in their respective fifth tier of the competition.
Spain ultimately claimed the global championship title, while Bangladesh finished 130th out of 187 participating nations. Despite the broader global standing, the team’s commendable run through the fifth tier has injected a fresh wave of optimism into the local sporting community. Goalkeeper Srinath Haldar stood out as a beacon of resilience, pulling off crucial penalty saves during two tense matches that steered his side deep into the tournament. Several other members of the squad also caught the watchful eyes of international talent scouts, signalling a promising reservoir of technical ability within the nation’s youth ranks.
To honour their spirited performances, the young athletes were showered with financial rewards and official recognition. During the reception, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque announced a cash prize of Tk 100,000 for each player directly from the ministry. Meanwhile, BFF Vice-President Nasser Shahriar Zaheedi gifted Tk 50,000 to every player and coaching staff member. This follows a previous announcement where Mr Zaheedi pledged a Tk 1 million bonus package immediately following the hard-fought final against Central Africa.
Historically, Bangladesh has produced numerous talented individuals at the age-group level, only for many to fade into obscurity due to a lack of structured long-term nurturing. Determined to break this cyclical trend, the sports ministry has stepped forward. State Minister Aminul Haque emphasised that the government is prepared to shoulder the responsibility of protecting these careers. Regardless of the final tournament standing, he noted, the raw potential is undeniable, and the ministry will work hand-in-hand with the BFF to ensure these prospects receive sustained, professional development.
BFF President Tabith Awal echoed these sentiments, attributing the recent success to deliberate, grassroots-level planning. He pointed out that a year-long nationwide under-15 tournament served as the foundational scouting ground, culminating in rigorous residential training camps prior to the global fixture. With government backing firmly secured, the federation aims to maintain this crucial training continuity, ensuring that the country’s rising footballing generation is given every opportunity to thrive on the international stage.
