The Bangladesh men’s under-21 hockey team is set to make its debut on the global stage at the FIH Men’s Youth World Cup, to be held in Chennai and Madurai, India, from 28 November to 10 December. The squad, which was officially unveiled at a jersey launch ceremony at Falcon Hall, Dhaka on Sunday. Bangladesh will compete in Group F against formidable opponents Australia, South Korea, and France.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) General Secretary, Lt. Col. Riazul Hasan (Retd), openly addressed the setback at the launch event. “If the financial crisis had not been there, we would have brought the camp earlier. I am personally very sorry,” he stated, estimating the total cost of the four-month camp and tournament participation at nearly 5 crore Bangladeshi Taka. He confirmed that while government approval for funds has been granted, the money is still in the process of being released, with sponsors helping to bridge the gap.
Despite the truncated preparation, Head Coach Siegfried Aikman, a respected international tactician, expressed confidence in his squad’s development. He explained that the focus has been on radically elevating the “intensity of the game” by improving basic skills at a higher pace, reducing unforced errors, and implementing a structured, European-style tactical system.
“Given the circumstances, we are well prepared,” Aikman said. “We were able to play multiple matches against the army team, which challenged us to the max. We will play with our heart, and we will give them a good fight. That’s what I promised, and that’s what we will deliver.”
BHF President Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan set a realistic yet determined tone for the tournament, emphasising performance over podium expectations. “This is a unique moment,” he said. “Discipline is the key to success. On the field, it is 11 versus 11. The opponent is not a big country; we will fight until the end and display good skill.”
Echoing the sentiment of resilient ambition, team captain Mehrab Hossain Samin shared his optimism about the team’s tactical evolution under Aikman. “We are not intimidated by any team in our group, but we respect them,” he said. “Since a big coach like Aikman arrived, the pattern of our play has changed. We are now understanding the European style.”
The team’s final preparations include travelling to India on 18 November for a 10-day acclimatisation period, where they will face Chile and Switzerland in organised practice matches. While the path has been far from ideal, the squad’s journey to Chennai represents a milestone for Bangladeshi hockey, built as much on perseverance off the pitch as talent on it.
