FIFA has launched a Talent Identification Programme from 21 October to 24 October in at the Shamsul Huda Academy in Jashore to ensure that no potential footballer is overlooked or unfairly dropped during the selection process.
Under this programme, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) will host a four-day workshop from 21 to 24 October at the Shamsul Huda Academy in Jashore, focusing on modern player identification methods for local coaches.
Speaking at a press conference at the BFF House on Sunday, Choki Nima, FIFA’s Technical Consultant for South Asia and a coach from Bhutan, explained that the workshop is designed to train coaches to identify promising players more effectively.
“The Talent Identification Programme is a key part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme. Over the next four days, we will discuss the processes and techniques of talent scouting so coaches can apply this knowledge during player selection,” said Nima.
Joining him at the briefing, BFF Technical Director Saiful Bari Titu added that the workshop will feature 32 coaches from across the country, including those with A and B licences, who are directly involved in age-group talent hunts and BFF’s youth competitions.
“We have included coaches from BKSP and other academies who are actively engaged in identifying young talents. The aim is to teach them how to evaluate not only physical and technical abilities but also mental and tactical aspects at the grassroots level,” Titu explained.
Unlike previous BFF coaching seminars, which were mostly held at the federation’s headquarters in Dhaka, this session is being organised in Jashore. Titu said the venue was selected for its comprehensive facilities, including accommodation and age-group players already training at the academy. “The Shamsul Huda Academy has all the necessary infrastructure like players, pitches, and accommodation which makes it ideal for such a workshop,” he noted.
The initiative reflects FIFA’s growing global emphasis on structured grassroots development under the leadership of Arsène Wenger, the former Arsenal manager who now serves as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development. His strategy prioritises investment in players aged between 12 and 16, ensuring that every talented youngster has access to fair scouting opportunities.
Bangladesh previously organised the FIFA Academy Cup under the same development scheme around 18 months ago. The upcoming workshop continues that commitment, with the central theme “Every Talent Gets a Chance.”
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), in collaboration with FIFA, has launched a four-day Talent Identification Workshop from 21 to 24 October at the Shamsul Huda Academy in Jashore. The programme, led by FIFA’s South Asia Technical Consultant Choki Nima and BFF Technical Director Saiful Bari Titu, aims to train local coaches on how to identify, assess and nurture young football talent more effectively across Bangladesh.
The workshop is part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme, designed to ensure that no potential player is overlooked due to inadequate scouting or poor evaluation methods. It will focus on modern player selection techniques, helping coaches improve their understanding of physical, mental and tactical aspects in grassroots football.
At a press conference held at the BFF House, Choki Nima said the initiative will equip coaches with the right tools to spot and develop promising footballers.
“The Talent Identification Programme is a key part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme. Over the next four days, we will discuss the processes and techniques of talent scouting so coaches can apply this knowledge during player selection,” Nima explained.
Saiful Bari Titu, who is supervising the event, said 32 licensed coaches, including A and B licence holders from BKSP and other regional academies are taking part.
“These coaches have been directly involved in youth football and talent hunt programmes. They will learn how to evaluate young players’ physical, technical and psychological attributes to make fairer and smarter selections,” said Titu.
Unlike previous seminars hosted at the BFF headquarters in Dhaka, this one is being held in Jashore. Titu explained that the Shamsul Huda Academy was chosen for its comprehensive training environment.
“The academy already has age-group players, accommodation facilities and well-maintained pitches, which makes it a suitable venue for practical learning,” he added.
The programme reflects FIFA’s global focus on youth development, guided by Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development and former Arsenal manager. His initiative targets structured development for players aged 12 to 16, ensuring that every talented child has a fair chance to progress.
Bangladesh has previously conducted the FIFA Academy Cup under the same development framework. The ongoing workshop continues that effort under the theme “Every Talent Gets a Chance.”
By improving its grassroots scouting system, BFF hopes to minimise the long-standing issue of talent loss in Bangladesh’s football pipeline and ensure a fairer, more data-driven player selection process in the future.
