Taif: The Bangladesh national football team, currently in Taif for a conditioning camp, has announced plans to perform Umrah as part of a spiritual exercise.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the team manager Amer Khan shared in a video message that the decision was made spontaneously during a break in their training schedule. “We have got a day break today during the training, so we all made a sudden plan together to perform Umrah. As part of our plan we are going to perform Umrah today,” Khan stated.
Defender Rahmat Mia, who has previously performed Umrah twice with the team, expressed his anticipation for what will be his third experience. “In fact, for a Muslim, this is a place of emotion, a place of peace. Thank to Allah for giving us the opportunity to perform Umrah. It will help us to increase our focus in the conditioning camp and we will find mental peace,” Mia explained, emphasizing the spiritual benefits of the pilgrimage for both personal growth and team unity.
Team captain Jamal Bhuyan highlighted the tradition of the team performing Umrah when possible, noting the positive impact it has on the players. “We are going to Mecca to perform Umrah. In the last two or three years, when we got the chance, we all went together to Macca to perform Umrah. Today is the same. I think it will good for the team as well as for me,” Bhuyan remarked.
Goalkeeper Sujon Hossain expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform Umrah with his teammates and mentioned his intention to pray for the team’s success in their upcoming match against India. He stated, “I would pray for all, especially for the national team, to Allah so that his team can win qualifiers match against India.”
The team has been engaged in intensive training under head coach Javier Cabrera since March 6, aiming to enhance their preparation for future matches. They are scheduled to return home on March 17 after completing their training stint in Saudi Arabia. The Bangladesh national team is set to play an away AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against India on March 25 in Shillong, India.