The remarkable rise of six-year-old football prodigy Sohan from Chandpur has taken a major leap forward as the young talent has been officially enrolled at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP), the country’s premier sports training academy. Widely celebrated as “Chandpur’s Mini Messi” after videos of his astonishing skills went viral, Sohan has now stepped into a more structured path towards professional football.
A Memorable Morning at BKSP
On Thursday, 4 December, at around 10:30 a.m., Sohan arrived at the BKSP campus in Savar, holding his father’s hand—his small steps filled with dreams far larger than his age. Upon arrival, BKSP officials invited several football coaches to the training ground to observe the boy.
There, the six-year-old dazzled them with his natural flair—close ball control, swift dribbling, balance, and instinctive rhythm. The coaches expressed their satisfaction and immediately completed his admission process, recognising his exceptional potential.
Community Support and Farewell Wishes
On the eve of Sohan’s departure, Mahmuda Kulsum Moni, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and President of the Upazila Sports Association, offered flowers to the young footballer as a gesture of encouragement. She also extended financial support to Sohan’s father, Sohel Pradhan, so he could stay near his son during the early days of his training.
Early Thursday morning, local sports organiser Jahid Hasan Jewel, funded by the Upazila Sports Association, accompanied Sohan and his father to the BKSP campus. Speaking to reporters by phone, Jewel confirmed that the coaches were greatly impressed by Sohan’s raw talent and unanimously agreed to enrol him.
Sohan’s Journey to Fame
Sohan became a national sensation earlier this year when videos surfaced showing his remarkable ball-control, astonishing agility, and effortless dribbling—skills far beyond what is expected at his age. His combination of control, composure, and rhythm instantly drew comparisons to Lionel Messi, earning him the affectionate title “Chandpur’s Mini Messi.”
His talent even caught the attention of interim government Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, who later announced a dedicated BKSP scholarship for the young prodigy.
Moreover, moved by the viral video, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, through former national team goalkeeper and SAFF champion Aminul Haque, has been providing Sohan with sports gear and a monthly stipend of 10,000 taka to support his development.
Background and Family
Sohan’s father, Sohel Pradhan, works as a bicycle mechanic—a humble profession that has made supporting his son’s sporting passion financially challenging. Speaking over the phone, he became emotional:
“My boy has loved football since he was very small. He would drive me mad asking for footballs. During Eid, when other children wanted new clothes, my Sohan only wanted a ball. Today, thanks to everyone’s support, we have come to Dhaka to enrol him at BKSP. Please pray for my son. I can never repay the kindness shown by the Sports Adviser sir, or by Tarique Rahman sir. And I am deeply grateful to the journalists who helped bring my Sohan into the spotlight.”
A Future Full of Promise
With world-class training facilities, expert coaching, and the backing of his community and well-wishers, Sohan’s journey has only just begun. His admission to BKSP marks the first structured step towards what many hope will become a glittering footballing career—one that could make him not just Chandpur’s pride, but Bangladesh’s future star on the global stage.
