Tajul Islam set an example of what an organizer can do battling against the odds by founding, managing and coaching an academy in a remote part of the country.
He had a rival in Joynul Abedin, a former local referee who can talk for an hour against the key man of Rangatungi Women’s Football Academy but without any proof or evidence.
Joynul was surrounded by four-five teenage boys inside a newly-built single-storey building. The place was just beside a vast football ground in Ranisankail Sadar.
The late winter night could not cool down the heat of the words thrown by the man in agitation. He first took credit away from Tajul for the upsurge of Rangatungi girls.
Joynul was an amateur trainer of the academy for eight years until parting ways two years ago. He claimed to be the main coach of the academy and solely blamed Tajul for his departure.
He said he was mistreated, accusing Tajul of taking percentage of prize money from a national female footballer given by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after Bangladesh won the first-ever South Asian Football Federation Women’s Championship title, beating Nepal in the final in Kathmandu in October, 2022.
Joynul could not name the player, neither did he provide any evidence. Tajul denied all allegations.
“I don’t count him (Joynul). He was like a ball boy. He had no coaching experience,” slammed Tajul.
Tajul showed no interest talking about it. He did not mention Joynul’s name during multiple interviews.
Joynul on the other hand did not like Tajul receiving all the praises.
In his reaction, he said the idea of forming a women’s football team first came in his head. He then shared it with Tajul who was acting principal of Ranisankail college at that time.
But Tajul denied the claim, adding that the idea came to his mind while watching a day-long football competition at the Rangatungi field where he was the chief guest.
Joynul said he was the referee of the tournament.
Later that day, Tajul said he took initiative to form a women’s side while Joynul informed that he invited the principal for the same purpose plus other issues.
What both agreed on was that they met a local coach named Gopal Mormu Suga and some football enthusiastic girls, mostly ethnic Saontal, among the spectators and formed the team afterwards.
Suga told Dhaka Tribune that he too was carrying the idea of forming a women’s football academy but did not get the chance to do so before meeting Tajul.
Suga is from indigenous Saontal community but he did not lower his voice against the lies of Joynul who claimed to be the main coach of Rangatungi academy. He boldly said it was him.
He is the only one among three coaches who completed AFC C and grass-root certificate course. Joynul never took any coaching course conducted by Bangladesh Football Federation.
BFF’s senior coach Mahbubur Rahman Polo visited Rangatungi Women’s Football Academy multiple times during 2015-2019. He said Suga was the leading coach of the academy on each occasion.
Suga also guided Rangatungi girls’ team to the final of the JFA Under-14 Women’s Football Championship in 2018 as the head coach.
Joynul talked about another issue that sparked his anger towards Tajul.
He said he was not invited to reception programs for Rangatungi’s two female footballers given by District Commissioner after Bangladesh team returned from Nepal with the maiden SAFF Championship trophy. He felt down.
Regardless of whoever came up with the idea first, Tajul eventually founded the academy on a tin-shed house in his farm close to the field.
He gave it a feasible shape for sustainability spending from his own pocket. He managed jerseys, footballs and boots from various sources to keep it going.
He also coached the team. He followed youtube contents on football to train the girls.
He talks like a motivational speaker.
But one of his hurdles lies in ensuring proper food for the nutrition of the young footballers.
Tajul also said he has been struggling to bear the price of essential boots and jerseys for some 40 girls around the year.
He could do nothing regarding providing nutritious food except telling the parents to take care of the matter, but most of the families were found financially incapable of meeting the needs.
ALSO READ:
Part 1: Like a revolt near distant border
Part 3: The rise of indigenous sisters from poverty
Part 4: The girl who broke the barriers and raised the roof