The family had no land of their own to cultivate.
The three sisters and their father, mother and two brothers used to work on the lands of other people to earn the daily bread and butter.
Bithika Kisku, the eldest of the three sisters, told this to Dhaka Tribune before adding that the financial situation has improved over the years since her two sisters – Sohagi Kisku and Kohati Kisku – started winning international competitions representing different youth and senior Bangladesh teams.
They now have their own land and a better life.
Sohagi and Kohati have featured infrequently in the playing XI.
They mostly warmed the benches but when Bangladesh won big titles, like the 2022 SAFF Championship, the whole squad received cash prizes from the Prime Minister’s office from time to time.
It had a profound effect on the whole family.
Among the sisters, it was Bithika who was first scouted by local coach Gopal Mormu Suga for Rangatungi academy at the very beginning.
She was also called up to the national youth team.
Seeing her make headway, Sohagi followed by Kohati soon joined the academy.
Bithika could not retain her place for long but the two other sisters have been regulars in the national team squad for more than half a decade.
“The guardians provided support. The players (Sohagi and Kohati) too gave full concentration on what we taught. They were also disciplined,” reasoned Suga on why the Kisku sisters excelled above everyone else.
Sitting near the touchline of Rangatungi women’s academy pitch on a bright afternoon, Santina Hembrom, mother of the Kiskus, and Guljar Kisku, the father, shared the story of how their lives changed through the three daughters.
Smiling in fresh colorful dresses, one sat on a chair and one on grass.
“They (Sohagi and Kohati) grew huge interest in playing football because of the Bangamata Primary School Football Tournament. They played for the school team. Then one day, director (Tajul Islam) approached us to let our daughters join his academy indicating a bright future,” said Guljar.
“Sohagi and Kohati played here for two-three years before getting chance in the national team. They travelled to Nepal, Bhutan, India and Myanmar to play football. They were also felicitated at home after winning trophies. We were invited too. We also received enough prize money which we utilized in the family matters. We built new houses and bought a land of two bighas,” he added.
Gulzar continued: “Our daughters also continued their education. They passed SSC and got admitted to college. They never faced a problem while going to the field and returning home.”
“Last time, we received Tk10 lakhs because of Sohagi and Kohati and it changed the family condition massively,” said Santina.
She added: “We had toiled very hard to run the family of five children. Now we have no suffering. Sohagi and Kohati solved the family problems through playing football.”
Saontals are one of the oldest living tribes in the sub-continent. Almost all Saontals in Bangladesh live in the northern part of the country. They are also one of the poorest ethnic groups.
They have changed their religion over centuries. The Kisku family converted to Christianity.
The village of Rangatungi from where the Kisku sisters hail has around 30 Saontal families. Almost all of them have low income.
Santina and Guljar too were among them before the three daughters changed all their lives, for the better.
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