With domestic competitions irregular and district leagues long dormant, Bangladesh’s national hockey teams at various levels have increasingly relied on current and former students of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP). In this landscape, one name stands out: Nazmus Sabit Mahmud.
A talented centre forward, Sabit is the only non-BKSP player to be included in the preliminary U-21 national squad for the upcoming FIH Junior World Cup. A product of the Ostad Fazlul Haque Hockey Academy in Old Dhaka, Sabit’s rise in the sport has been nothing short of impressive. He captained Armanitola High School in the inter-school tournament and emerged as both the top scorer and best player in the 2023 Second Division Hockey League.
Now a 12th-grade student at Kabi Nazrul Islam College, Sabit is determined to secure a place in the final squad. Fully aware that every other player in the squad hails from BKSP, Sabit recognises the challenge but remains mentally prepared for the fight ahead.
“I know I am the only player who has been called up beyond the BKSP, and I know it is going to be very competitive for me,” Sabit said, speaking to reporters before beginning training at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on the second day of the national camp.
Sabit’s passion for hockey runs in the family. His father, Hazi Mohammad Selim Mahmud, played for Mauthtuli Club, and he shares a close family connection with national forward Rasel Mahmud Jimmy. The relationship goes beyond inspiration; Jimmy often offers Sabit technical advice, especially when it comes to penalty corners.
Alongside Sabit, Mehrab Hossain Samin, who captained the Bangladesh team at the AHF Junior Asia Cup, is also eager to begin preparations for the Junior World Cup.
“We’re really excited to start preparing for the FIH Junior World Cup,” Samin said. “We grew up watching our cricket team play on that stage, so it feels like a huge achievement for hockey to finally reach the World Cup too. We are practising wearing the jersey which has a photo of the World Cup trophy. This photo is fake, but it’s been a big thing for us.”
Samin added that starting the camp four months in advance will help build team chemistry, but exposure to match situations remains crucial for success.
To strengthen their World Cup campaign, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) is looking to arrange at least eight practice matches abroad. Lt Col (rtd) Rizaul Hasan, General Secretary of the BHF, confirmed that discussions are underway for a tour to Pakistan, where the team is set to play four matches, followed by another set of four in a European country. However, he clarified that “nothing’s finalised yet.”
In another boost to the team, Dutch coach Seigfried Aikman is expected to arrive in the first week of August to sign a memorandum of understanding before officially taking charge of the U-21 side in early September.
As the team works towards their goal of making an impact on the world stage, the spirit of determination and anticipation is clearly evident. Whether it’s Sabit’s individual pursuit of a place in the final squad or the collective drive of the team, Bangladesh hockey is gearing up for its moment in the spotlight at the Junior World Cup.