Hockey is a means for realising father’s unfinished dream: Ishtiaque Sadeque

The atmosphere at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium in Paltan seems to have changed completely. While players are busy sharpening their skills with sticks in hand on the turf, hockey officials are equally busy off the field trying to provide them with the best possible facilities. Hockey has come back to life since the new committee took charge, and newly appointed ad hoc committee General Secretary Ishtiaque Sadeque is committed to giving the sport further momentum. According to him, the players are the sport's greatest asset.

On 18 July, the National Sports Council (NSC) appointed an ad hoc committee to the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BAHF). Ishtiaque Sadeque received good news soon after becoming general secretary. The following day, Bangladesh's women's junior hockey team won the championship in Oman. The current committee then gave the team a warm reception at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The new general secretary also personally rewarded the players with cash prizes.

Ishtiaque Sadeque has been spending a busy time in the hockey arena since becoming general secretary. He spends almost all his time at the federation, encouraging the coaches and players. On Sunday, the team had a training session and a practice match. He watched the team's entire training session from the stadium before going onto the turf to speak with the players and coaches and check on their well-being. He later spoke to the media present, saying, "We are trying to improve the facilities available to the players in every possible way. The players are our greatest asset. So, if we can improve their accommodation, food, gym and training facilities... it will take some time, but we are trying. The entire committee is working on it."

The new hockey committee has taken several important decisions since assuming responsibility. These include bringing Russell Mahmud Jimmy back into the team after he had been out of consideration for more than a year and a half, and appointing German coach Peter Gerhard. There are also extensive plans for the team. Ishtiaque Sadeque said, "As you have seen, we have brought in a foreign coach who has previously worked in Bangladesh. His previous plan was to play at least 15 to 20 preparation matches in Europe, particularly in Germany. I am confident that this will benefit us greatly in the long run."

"It is not just about playing and returning from the match; we have a long-term plan. Since the domestic league is irregular, many players from here play in leagues in Germany or elsewhere in Europe. It is also part of our plan to ensure that at least 40 to 50 players can regularly play in Europe in the future."

The absence of a regular hockey league in Bangladesh is one of the biggest frustrations for the players. Ishtiaque Sadeque said the new committee is working to get the First Division League underway.

He then made a remark that generated considerable interest. Speaking emotionally, he said, "I have been involved with hockey since childhood. Even today, I was telling a friend that I used to come to the hockey field more often than to the cricket field. For example, I was talking to Harun (Mahbub Harun) bhai today. I watched the games of players from the past, such as Jummon Lusai, Kanchan (Jasim Uddin) and Lulu (Jamil Parvez)."

However, Ishtiaque Sadeque now has a major responsibility on his shoulders, and he is aware of it. He knows that he has to take hockey forward from where his father, the legendary Abdus Sadeque, left it. The country's renowned sportsman passed away on 20 June. Ishtiaque Sadeque said he would give his best to take hockey forward: "I used to enjoy hockey in a different way before, but now I have taken it as a challenge. This is an effort to fulfil an unfinished dream of my father. As long as I remain in this position, I will give my best to do something good for hockey."

The hockey general secretary then said that a league committee would be formed within the next five to seven days. He also said an initial target had been set to start the First Division League in early September.

Earlier, coach Peter Gerhard observed the players' performances during the practice match. With preparations for the Asian Games in mind, an internal practice match was organised by dividing the 38 players called up to the preliminary camp of the Bangladesh national hockey team into three separate teams.

The main objective of the match was to assess the players' tactical skills, physical fitness and ability to adapt to match situations. After the match, head coach Peter Gerhard outlined his plans, saying, "This practice match was extremely important for assessing the players' current condition and their performance on the field. Based on their performances in this match, we will be able to move forward to the next stage."