When the water settled at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur, one name rippled louder than the rest. Md Rashibul Hasan, representing the Bangladesh Army, scored 23 goals in the 34th National Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Championship 2025, smashing the previous national record of 12 goals. To many inside the pool arena, it felt like watching the Messi of Bangladesh Army’s water polo team at work.
Yet, behind the sudden spotlight is a story of struggle, discipline and a love for a sport that most Bangladeshis hardly know.
Rashibul’s journey with water polo began almost by accident.
He smiled as he looked back at the beginning. “In 2018, after completing my training, I joined 59 East Bengal Regiment. That is where my journey started. My unit encouraged me to learn swimming and water polo. At that time I could not play at all, and I did not even know such a sport existed in Bangladesh. My love for the game grew from there.”
Carrying the responsibility of being a soldier and an athlete would break many, but Rashibul learned how to balance both worlds.
“Continuing sports while serving in the Bangladesh Army is not easy. It takes a lot of effort and discipline. As I am a trained soldier, I must balance both sides of my life.”
Among all his memories in the pool, there is one phase that he still finds hard to forget.
“The toughest moment for me was when I first entered the national team. My coach pushed me through intense training sessions that felt impossible. I struggled to cope, but I stayed patient. Every training day felt like a frightening challenge for me back then.”
Despite his record-breaking performance this year, Rashibul remains humble. He does not let the newfound attention change him.
“I do not feel any change within myself after the 22 goals. I always see myself as a small player. But when I step into the pool, I want everyone to enjoy my game and I want to offer a level of performance that nobody has seen before.”
Rashibul believes Bangladesh has talent but lacks opportunities to compete on bigger stages.
“We practise properly every day, but we do not get the stage to prove ourselves. The National Championship is the highest level in Bangladesh. We are champions here, but imagine if we had the chance to play against other countries or take part in international competitions. Then we could prove our quality. This is where we are lacking.”
He also feels that water polo needs more media attention to reach the general public.
“The sport has been present in the Army, Navy and BKSP for a long time. But even after such a big championship, there is barely any news coverage. Because of that, most people remain unaware of the sport. If the media highlight it more, people will see it on their phones and in newspapers. Then the game will grow.”
The success in water polo demands strong fitness, discipline and a clear mindset. Rashibul believes it starts from within.
“Not everyone has the same level of fitness or mindset. If I do not have the determination, I can never become a player. If I want to be a good athlete, I must maintain my fitness with the strength of my intentions. That is what defines a good player.”
If given the chance to train abroad, Rashibul knows exactly what he wants to absorb.
“If the Bangladesh team gets the opportunity to go abroad, we want to learn the international rules and the playing style. There are many things we can gain.”
His dreams extend far beyond national success.
“I am confident that if I get the chance to represent Bangladesh at international level, I can achieve something big for the country. I truly believe this.”
Before he left, Rashibul shared his hope for the sport’s future in Bangladesh.
“To make water polo more popular, it needs to reach everyone. The more people know about it, the more it can grow. I want the whole of Bangladesh to know about water polo through you. Only then can it spread.”
Rashibul Hasan is more than a record breaker. He is a symbol of how passion can rise from unknown corners, how a sport with little support can still produce a champion, and how dreams can float even in the most overlooked pools of Bangladesh.
