‘Grit brought me here’

Driven by a dream to become a footballer, she arrived for trials at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan, only to find her destiny intertwined with a hockey stick. That was the beginning of a remarkable ascent; in just a few short years, Kona Akter has emerged as a cornerstone of the Bangladesh national women's hockey team. Just as she carves through opposition defences on the pitch, the 17-year-old has had to battle formidable social barriers off it, carrying with her the unfulfilled dreams of her sister. Amidst a dominant performance at the Asian Games Qualifiers in Jakarta, she spoke with Daily Sun to discuss her struggles and aspirations.

Daily Sun: Your journey to the national team is quite unconventional. How did it all begin?

Kona: It’s been an incredible shift. My sporting life actually started with football, which I played regularly from a young age. It was my coach in Natore who encouraged me to attend the BKSP trials in 2021 for both football and hockey. Interestingly, I ranked first in the hockey trials, whereas I was 23rd in football. That was the turning point; I chose the stick over the ball and haven't looked back since.

Daily Sun: Moving from football to a technical sport like hockey in such a short time is no small feat. How did you adapt?

Kona: I owe everything to my coach, Jahid Hossain Raju sir. When I joined BKSP, I didn’t even know how to hold a stick. He mentored me from scratch. My international exposure actually began before this senior team was formed; I scored three goals at the 2023 Hockey5s Asia Cup in Oman and five more at the 2024 Junior AHF Cup in Singapore.

Daily Sun: You’ve been in sensational form in these Qualifiers, scoring in all three group matches. Which goal is your personal favourite?

Kona: While every goal is a result of teamwork, the opener against Chinese Taipei stands out. We were trailing by two goals and the pressure was immense. When I managed to pull one back, it shifted the momentum. It gave the entire team the belief that we could compete with a side that strong. That "never say die" attitude is what I cherish most.

Daily Sun: Bangladesh is now on the brink of the final, with only Singapore standing in your way in the semi-finals. How confident is the camp?

Kona: We enter every match with the sole intention of winning. Singapore is a solid team, but our performance against Chinese Taipei has given us immense confidence. If we stick to our plan and play our natural game, I truly believe we can secure a spot in the final.

Daily Sun: How difficult was it for you to stay committed to sports, especially considering your sister's experience?

Kona: It was a path filled with obstacles. There was a time when even my parents were hesitant because of social stigma and public opinion. My sister was also a talented footballer, but she was forced into marriage and had to give up her dreams. That hit me hard. It created a sense of defiance within me; I decided that if my sister couldn't play, I would play for both of us. That grit is what brought me here, and I’m happy to say my family is now my biggest support system.