Shillong: Wearing white earbuds and sporting a neatly groomed Afro, Hamza Choudhury made his way into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, receiving warm greetings from the Bangladesh media contingent. While he calls Leicester home, his father hails from Snanghat in Sylhet, making this international debut even more significant. Dressed in the No.8 jersey, the 27-year-old midfielder joined his teammates for the warm-up session ahead of their crucial Asian Cup qualifier against India on Tuesday.
Choudhury, who plays for Sheffield United on loan from Leicester City, has quickly become the center of attention for Bangladesh football. His Premier League and Championship experience has added new energy to the squad, with fans and teammates alike hopeful about his impact. In a nation where football fandom has traditionally been divided between Brazil and Argentina, his presence has provided a fresh spark and renewed expectations.
A Rising Star for Bangladesh Football
Speaking after a training session, Choudhury’s mother, Rafia Choudhury, reflected on his journey, stating, “We never pressured him to become a footballer, but he believed in himself and made it happen.” She further noted that when he started playing at Leicester City’s academy, very few Asian players were present, but now, many have followed in his footsteps.
India’s head coach Manolo Marquez acknowledged that his presence is a huge boost for Bangladesh football, stating that Choudhury’s Premier League experience will inspire his teammates. Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan, who previously mentioned that India’s ISL is ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League in quality, also believes that the gap in individual talent is narrowing, making Choudhury’s addition all the more crucial.
Will a Short Training Period Be Enough?
Despite the enthusiasm, the key question remains: Can one week of preparation with the Bangladesh squad be enough for Choudhury to make an immediate impact? Coach Marquez remains uncertain, especially given that Choudhury has played only eight matches for Sheffield United this season. Additionally, adapting to a new footballing system and national expectations may take time.
His parents, Rafia and Murshed Dewan, are present in Shillong, standing by their son. “There will be pressure on Hamza, but he has a strong mind. May Almighty grant him the strength to carry this responsibility,” Rafia shared.
Naturalized Players in International Football
Apart from Choudhury, Jamal Bhuyan (Denmark), Tarek Kazi (Finland), and Syed Quazem (Canada) are among the foreign-born players in the Bangladesh squad. While many countries rely on naturalized players, India does not permit dual citizenship, making this strategy unavailable for the Indian national team.
Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera urged caution regarding reliance on overseas-born players, emphasizing the importance of integrating them into the local culture, similar to what has been seen with Bhuyan, Kazi, and Quazem. He pointed to Indonesia’s experience, where an influx of Dutch-born players and the appointment of Patrick Kluivert as head coach have generated mixed results. Despite improvements, their recent 1-5 loss to Australia in World Cup qualifiers raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of this approach.
For Bangladesh, Hamza Choudhury represents more than just a new player—he is a symbol of progress. The match against India will be his first step in defining his role within the team and shaping Bangladesh’s footballing future.
