Pabna, June 25 (V7N) - A long-term training camp for under-17 football players is set to begin in Chatmohar, Pabna, with an enthusiastic talent scouting event launched amid a festive and high-spirited atmosphere. The initiative aims to identify and develop promising young footballers from grassroots levels and reinvigorate youth engagement in sports.
 
The player selection program was inaugurated on Wednesday afternoon at the Baluchar football field in Chatmohar by former Bangladesh national team striker Enamul Haque. The event was graced by Musa Naser Chowdhury, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Chatmohar, who attended as the chief guest.
 
The talent hunt is organized by the Chatmohar Upazila Administration and Chatmohar Municipality, and is being conducted under the supervision of Chatmohar Sports Academy. The selection panel included Raton Ali, former U-20 national team goalkeeping coach, Shipon, head coach of Mugda Samaj Kalyan Krira Sangha in Dhaka, and Shamsher Alam, a former national team footballer.
 
They were assisted by several local veteran footballers including Ashraful Alam Helal, Touhidul Islam Taizul, Abdul Bari (also known as Bari Guru), Abdus Salam, Arman, Anwar, Robiul Karim, Golam Yasin, Sujon, and others who helped ensure the smooth execution of the event.
 
Organizers reported that players were selected in three age categories: 8–12 years, 13–14 years, and 15–17 years. A total of around 450 young players from various parts of the upazila participated in the trial. Following the final selection, 95 players were shortlisted to join the training camp. Of these, 25 were selected from the 8–12 age group, 34 from the 13–14 group, and 31 from the 15–17 group. Additionally, five goalkeepers were chosen.
 
Touhidul Islam Taizul, convener of the Chatmohar Sports Academy, remarked, “In today’s world, children and teenagers are increasingly addicted to mobile phones, and many are falling into the traps of gang culture and drugs. This initiative is a step toward bringing them back to the playing field. If trained properly, these children could become future stars of Bangladeshi football.”
 
UNO Musa Naser Chowdhury stated that the training camp was initiated to improve the quality of football among young players and to foster greater interest in sports among youth in the region. He added that selected participants would receive free training, with the full camp set to begin on July 1, lasting initially for two months, though the duration may be extended later based on progress and response.
 
Former national striker Enamul Haque praised the initiative, saying, “This is undoubtedly a commendable effort. Sports organizers from both rural and urban areas are playing a critical role in developing the country’s sports scene. Discovering talented players at the district and sub-district levels and nurturing them through residential training camps is a significant step. This model will help produce high-quality athletes who can bring honor to Bangladesh on the global stage.”
 
END/SRP/SMA/