Bangladesh is set to make history on Wednesday 29 October as the country launches Asia’s first-ever Junior Amputee Football Programme, marking a major step in inclusive sports development. The initiative is being jointly introduced by Sports for Hope and Independence and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to support young people with limb loss and physical disabilities through football.
The programme aims to empower children and teenagers with disabilities by using sport as a tool for rehabilitation, confidence building and social inclusion. Bangladesh has a large number of youths living with limb loss due to accidents, congenital conditions and other causes, and organisers believe football can offer them a new sense of hope and belonging.
A press conference was held on Monday at the Shaheed Captain M Monsur Ali Handball Stadium conference room in Paltan to announce the initiative. Speakers included Sharmin Farhana, President of Sports for Hope and Independence, Vice President Mahbuba Panna, ICRC Manager Subhash Sinha, Dr Maruf Ahmed, Secretary General of the National Paralympic Committee of Bangladesh, Asiful Hasan Masud, Treasurer of the National Paralympic Committee, and Pappu Lal Modak, Head of Sports for Development at Sports for Hope and Independence.
Speaking at the briefing, organisers confirmed that a five-day training camp began on 25 October. The camp includes 28 participants, featuring boys and girls aged 12 to 18, along with four additional players under the age of 24. On the closing day, two exhibition matches will take place featuring the best performers selected from the camp.
The final matches will be staged on 29 October at the Shaheed Farhan Faiyaz Field near Asad Gate, adjacent to the National Parliament Building.
With this pioneering initiative, Bangladesh hopes to set a benchmark in Asia for promoting adaptive sports and offering young amputee footballers a pathway to develop their talent and confidence in a structured environment.
