Hamza Chowdery become Bangladeshi player.
On Thursday evening, FIFA allowed Hamza Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi-born player who played in the English Premier League, to play for the Bangladesh national team. There is also speculation about what impact he could have on Bangladeshi football after the door was opened for Hamza. He is being praised on social media. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal appeared at a press conference on the issue of Hamza Chowdhury. He also shared his dreams about Hamza. He believes that other expatriates will also be inspired to play in the red-green jersey after seeing Hamza.
The phenomenon of Bangladeshi-born players playing for the national team is not new. It started with Jamal Bhuiyan in 2013. Then in 2019, Finland expatriate Tariq Qazi got the clearance to play for Bangladesh. Jamal has played 84 matches for the country so far. He has also been the captain. Tariq Qazi is also an essential member of the team. However, the reason for the increased interest or discussion about Hamza is that no one has played for Bangladesh before, having played at the top level of European club football. The 27-year-old Hamza currently plays for Leicester City, the former champion of the English Premier League.
He has captained the club and won the FA Cup.
He has also played in Europe’s second best club tournament, the Europa League, and its next stage, the UEFA Conference League. Among the footballers of Bangladeshi origin, only Tariq Qazi has played in European club football competitions before. Although Hamza was born in England, his mother is Bangladeshi. Her mother’s home was in Habiganj district of Sylhet division. He came to Bangladesh with his mother and also visited Sylhet.
BFF President Tabith Awal claimed that the inclusion of such a footballer will further increase the hunger for victory of the Bangladesh national football team. Tabith said at a press conference at his residence yesterday, “We are definitely happy if Hamza plays for Bangladesh. Players like Hamza or expatriate footballers who will play for Bangladesh in the future will increase the quality of the national team. Hamza is definitely a brand.” But we are not thinking about it for now. We want to see the national team win. We want to take the team to a winning mentality. I hope we can build the brand with everyone.’ Hoping that Hamza will increase the strength of the national team a lot, Tabith said, ‘There is no doubt that the team will be very strong. Since Hamza is a defensive midfielder, the team’s defense will be very organized.
Along with this,
the attack will also have to be good. Many people of Bangladeshi origin are doing well abroad. I believe that Hamza will be their inspiration.’ Bangladesh will play an away match against India in the Asian Cup qualifiers next March. Everyone hopes that Hamza will make his debut in the country’s jersey in that match. The BFF president said that the BFF has already started planning for the Asian Cup.
However, he said that the preparations for the match against India will be somewhat cautious, saying, ‘We have started planning for the match against India. Whether we play a friendly match or a warm-up match before that match, we will play it behind closed doors. We will not allow anyone from outside to watch the match. One team will go out of the Asian Cup qualifiers as the group winner. I am watching the match against India with great importance. If we can do well in the first match, we will have a chance to realize our dream of winning the group.’ Tabith said that the national team’s training camp will begin after the first phase of the Premier League ends on January 25. It will be four weeks.