Bangladesh 2007 Tour
Mohammedan Sporting Club (London), a dominant force in the UK Asian football scene and prominent participants in international football conventions, has once again completed another fantastic ‘un-defeated’ tour to Bangladesh. With 3 wins and a draw, the Club fielded a youth team combines with local promising talent at all of its games. Games were played in the regions of Shomshenogor (win), Biani Bazaar (win), Fenchugonj (draw) and Jogonathpur.
The results proved a great boost for Mohammedans young players who were participating in their first international tour and first games on Bangladeshi soil, against footballing teams which act as the heartbeat of the local regions where the games were played.
With crowds of 5000 – 7000+ at the respective games, it was an awe inspiring experience for the young players who gave senior members of the team a rest on the coaching bench. The reception and hospitality of the local hosts at each game was second to non with prominent businessmen, politicians the police authorities coming to support the games. With such friendly attitudes from the hosts and locals, it is no wonder why Mohammedan returns to Bangladesh every other year.
The young players got a bigger boost on flying out to Bangladesh, when they travelled on the same plane as England & Chelsea Captain John Terry who was flying out to Dubai with family.
Mohammedan was amongst some of the local teams to take part in a footballing tour this summer, others included Stepney FC, Sonali Otith UK and Beumont AFC.
The Club has a great appeal to local players and supporters as it works closely with home grown talent from the Tower Hamlets community, who see the activities offered by Mohammedan as a positive past time in their weekly life. With various teams participating in league and cup competitions locally, nationally and internationally, the club draws players from players of all backgrounds and abilities from far a field as Reading, Basildon, Luton, Bournemouth, with experience at higher level experience within the professional game. Past players at Mohammedan are currently playing in Rayman Premier Division and Club football in the USA amongst other countries, with others having spells in the academy of professional clubs and home and abroad.
The Club is maintained on a 100% voluntary capacity and invests heavily in grassroots talent and supporting local community efforts for past 30 years.
Some of the stars from the tour and future talents to watch out for:
Sadik Ahmed Ali – past winner of BFA Young Player of the Year, participant in 2 World Youth Cup squads, and winner of countless local and national tournaments and finalist at the UK Asian Championships in Glasgow. Sadik went onto support his local region win the Union Cup in Bangladesh. The highlight of the tour was Sadik alongside other members of the Mohammedan squad were selected to take part in a regional tournament playing along side the Bangladesh Premier Division players, national team players and national Team Captain. Sadik went onto winning man of the match at the tournament and also becoming one of the highly paid young players to be paid per game in Cup Competition’s in Bangladesh.
Sadik was happy to give up his playing fee’s and said ‘its is an honour to play amongst the heroes of Bangladeshi football and to be recognized amongst members of the national team and its Captain for my abilities, an experience which I will never forget, I cant wait to return to Bangladesh for the next Mohammedan Tour’
Sullyman Miah – Captain and backbone of the Mohammedan team on the pitch, played alongside Sadik with national team players and captain. Sully went on to say ‘this just completes one of my dreams of displaying my talents amongst the best of Bangladeshi football and for them to recognize my talents and give me starting line-up and responsibility of managing the defense amongst such big name players, is truly un-explainable. Sully went onto say ‘Mohammedan is a great club with local, national and international following, you can truly feel the respect and admiration this Club commands due to its current and historic achievements where ever you go in the UK or abroad’.
Other young players in the Squad included; Jahan – who took part in Bollywood from hit film ‘DHAN DHANA GOAL’ alongside Bollywood’s golden couple, Jony Ibrahim and Bipasha.
Abbab Hussain – Former Clapton FC player, currently playing Essex Senior League Football.
Askar Miah – one of the most impressive players on tour with a big name following in Bangladesh, currently playing local football in Bangladesh as a paid player.
Club Secretary Mahbub Hussain explains ‘this was one of the biggest gambles we took as a Club to field a youth squad in Bangladesh, as we know how tough the opposition can be and the demand and support Mohammedan commands to win in Bangladesh from the general public. With most of our senior players out of action due to committing to Tower Hamlets Senior Team Sonali Otith UK, who were playing in tournaments around Bangladesh supporting the Aide efforts for Cyclone Sidar’
Mohammedan Sporting Club has over 100 year’s colorful and celebrated history in the Indian sub-continent and 30 years in the UK, is one of the most successful and supported clubs in Bangladeshi football.
‘it is a great responsibility for the current and future members of Mohammedan SC in the UK to continue this great tradition and history and support local communities develop and become part of a lasting legacy’ Chairmen – Mohammedan Sporting Club (London)
Mohammedan Sporting Club (London) is currently recruiting players / coaches of exceptional quality and calibre and good work ethos for the summer and winter league, various cup competitions, national and international competitions and tours. If you are between the ages of 16-18+ yrs and experienced in 11 aside football youth & senior level, contact the Club Secretary on 07947 161 887 or email mohammedansc@yahoo.com to register your interest.
If you have an interest in supporting the club financially though sponsorship please contact us to discuss opportunities.
