The quest for survival and the pursuit of dreams

Have you ever heard the sweet sound of the leather hitting the willow? It sounded even sweeter to this reporter, who walked into a ground just a few miles from the Sylhet International Stadium and witnessed enthusiastic children playing the game they love. It was dusk and the urge of the young cricketers, all orphaned, to keep playing even during that time of the day only depicted how they find a shade of light through cricket amid all the darkness in this unfriendly world. 

The whole world now stands still, with almost all major sporting events halted due to the coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping the globe. Even during such a crisis, there are stories scripted in an unknown ground in Sylhet's Bagbari that can shower some hope on fans and people who are panicking and struggling to cope with the fear that this deadly virus has created.   

Even two weeks ago when Mashrafe Bin Mortaza had announced his retirement as the captain of the Bangladesh ODI team in Sylhet, everything was normal and regular. It was back then that this reporter discovered some interesting stories about some orphaned children who were harbouring the same dream that the inspirational leader had at their age.

After staying busy with the Mashrafe news all day, this reporter could only catch the children of Shishu Poribar orphanage in the final hour of their game. But it was not too late to talk to these children to know their inspiring stories.

A total of 170 children find their homes in a worn-out orphanage here in Bagbari. These children, some of whom are unaware of their parents' identity while others were left here by helpless mothers who could not afford to raise them, still dare to dream big -- playing for the national team.

Photo: Collected

Among the 85 Shishu Poribar institutions run by the social services department across the country, only the one in Sylhet offers children more than just shelter, food and basic education. And that is too because of the involvement of local sports brand SNP Sports – a sports accessories wholesaler in Sylhet -- who are offering these 170 children a platform to hone their skills and chase their dreams of becoming a professional athlete.

Lutfur Rahman Zia, captain of Shishu Poribar cricket team, had finished his practice just minutes before sharing his story.

"I never thought I would play cricket like this. Now I think I have the opportunity to make a name for myself. Cricket is where I find happiness. Let's see what the future holds for me," were some hopeful words coming from a child who lost his father and was left here by his mother at a very young age.

Standing next to Zia was Iqbal Ahmed, who too found shelter in this orphanage after losing his father at a tender age. Iqbal however excels at a different sport -- football. Iqbal, who captains the orphanage's football team, made the shortlist of 25 players selected for a football camp after competing with students from a hundred schools in Sylhet. He now has the opportunity to play in a tournament in Portugal.

"We have been playing here since childhood. But now we have a team. We are getting the chance to play in leagues. I dream that I will play in the national team one day," said Iqbal.

Robiul Hasan, who came to this orphanage at the age of seven or eight, is however a blend of Iqbal and Zia. A hero of many a match for Shishu Poribar in the school cricket tournament, Robiul is equally capable with a football at his feet as he was also called up for the 25-member football camp alongside Iqbal. But Robiul had picked his favourite sport between the two.

"I play both cricket and football but I would like to be a famous footballer," said Robiul.

Unlike the other three, another prospect, Al-Amin, has no idea of either of his parents' identity. The 14-year-old has lived here for his entire life and finds happiness in bat and ball.

"This is my home. We did not have the opportunity to play before. Now we play and I love it. If luck favours me, one day I will also be a [professional] player," said Al-Amin.   

Owner of SNP Sports, Paplu Dutta, the man who created the platform for these underprivileged children and helped them dream big, once represented Sylhet Division in first-class cricket.

"I used to go there [to the orphanage] and spend time with them. I once thought of starting a cricket academy but after talking to them I realised that I should work with these children who have no one. I realised I need to build a platform for them.

"I once played cricket with them for a while and noticed their excitement. Then I thought of doing something for them. They do not get many opportunities. These kids, who lost their parents, are fighters by birth," explained Paplu.

After that, Paplu provided the children with necessary kits -- jerseys, bats, balls, footballs and all other required accessories -- under the supervision of a coach and with that began the pursuit of dreams.  

Their hard work and practice did not take long to bear fruit. Just a year later, Shishu Poribar participated in the National School Cricket tournament and went as far as playing in this year's Divisional final. Although they could not clinch the title, Shishu Poribar were able to beat schools like Aided High School, an institution that nurtured national players like Alok Kapali, Rajin Saleh and Abu Jayed and also has a rich sporting history, Blue Bird High School and Government Pilot School.

The coordinator of the social services department that runs the orphanage, Nibash Ranjan Das also mentioned his eagerness to provide the orphanage's girls with the same platform.

"This will keep on going. I am also thinking of providing the girls with all sporting facilities," said Nibash. 

SNP Sports' owner Paplu was right when he mentioned these kids are 'fighters by birth' as even through the adversities the likes of Zia, Iqbal, Robiul and Al-Amin have faced, they keep fighting and chasing their dreams of becoming professional sportsmen. Maybe such fighting spirit is what people nationwide now require as they fight to survive a pandemic.