Bangladesh’s U-21 hockey team is gearing up to compete at the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 in Tamil Nadu, India, reports the Daily Sun.
This is the first time Bangladesh tournament, scheduled from 28 November to 10 December.
The squad will depart Dhaka on 18 November, marking a landmark moment for Bangladeshi hockey as the young players prepare to showcase their talent on the global stage.
To celebrate this historic achievement, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) hosted a jersey unveiling ceremony, official photoshoot, and a ‘Meet the Press’ session on Sunday at Falcon Hall, Dhaka.
Players, officials, and fans gathered to witness the team’s journey and ambitions ahead of their first-ever World Cup campaign.
At the event, BHF General Secretary Lt. Col. Riazul Hasan (Retd.) addressed the financial hurdles that delayed preparations. “If the financial crisis had not been there, we would have brought the camp earlier.
I am personally very sorry,” he said, estimating the four-month camp and tournament participation at nearly 5 crore Bangladeshi Taka. While government approval for the funds has been granted, they are still being released, with sponsors helping to bridge the gap.
Despite limited preparation, head coach Siegfried Aikman expressed confidence in his squad.
“We focused on improving the intensity of the game, enhancing basic skills at a faster pace, reducing unforced errors, and implementing a structured European-style tactical system,” he said.
“We were able to play multiple matches against the army team, which challenged us to the max. We will play with our heart, and we will give them a good fight. That’s what I promised, and that’s what we will deliver.”
BHF President Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan set a determined tone,
“On the field, it is 11 versus 11. The opponent is not a big country; we will fight until the end and display our skills. Discipline is the key to success.”
Team captain Mehrab Hossain Samin highlighted the tactical evolution under Aikman,
“We respect every opponent but fear none. Since our coach arrived, our style of play has changed. We are now understanding and applying the European style.”
Bangladesh will spend 10 days in India acclimatising, playing practice matches against Chile and Switzerland. While the journey has been far from smooth, this first-ever World Cup participation signals a historic step for Bangladeshi hockey, driven by perseverance, discipline, and talent.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
