Dhaka:The Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF), in collaboration with BRAC Bank, has embarked on a comprehensive five-phase nationwide program to discover and develop women's hockey talent at the grassroots level. This initiative aims to create a stronger pipeline for the national team by broadening the talent pool beyond the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the program includes district-level training, specialized goalkeeping camps, academic stipends, and regional and national competitions. Group Captain Refatul Islam, chairman of the BHF Women's Wing, explained that the initiative has already completed its first phase in seven districts, including Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Sylhet, Netrokona, Cumilla, and Narayanganj. These districts were chosen to identify promising players from remote areas.
The first phase involved schoolgirls from grades six to nine, who received hockey equipment and financial assistance for essentials like footwear and transport. Local coaches and female coordinators managed these district programs. The second phase extended to 15 more districts, offering 20-day training camps with coaching, equipment, and daily allowances for 20 players in each district.
The current third phase is a 15-day residential goalkeeping camp in Dhaka, where 24 young goalkeepers are receiving specialized training and equipment. In the fourth phase, nearly 40 players will receive academic stipends from August to December, supported by additional funding from BRAC Bank.
Refatul emphasized that the program is not just about hockey scores but also about changing lives by supporting players and their families. The initiative will culminate in zonal competitions in November and a national round-robin tournament in Dhaka in December, where district-based players will compete alongside selected BKSP players.
Challenges such as securing parental consent, adjusting training schedules to school hours, and overcoming social conservatism in some communities have been encountered. However, local sports organizations, district organizers, and grassroots activists, including BHF Women's Wing Secretary Tariquzzaman Nannu, have been instrumental in mobilizing support.
Looking ahead, the federation plans to expand the program in 2027, focusing on the hill tracts and remote districts while developing locally organized competitions. BHF Joint Secretary Ariful Haque Prince noted that the initiative aims to identify talented players nationwide and prepare them for the national team by developing local talent to meet international standards.