The boy who was unable to meet the expenses of buying a pair of running shoes surprised all and sundry by clinching gold in the 100m sprint (18-19 age-group) in the National Junior Athletics Championship yesterday.
Born in a farmer’s family in Gurudaspur upazila in Natore, poverty could not shatter Abdullah Hasan’s dream of competing in the national level and showing his true potential. Poverty was not the only obstacle Abdullah had to overcome thus far. The Natore district sports association (DSA) provided very little support and he was also neglected by BJMC while hunting for a job. Above all these hurdles, he only had five days to practise and prepare himself for the most prestigious event of the meet which pales in comparison with the BKSP athletes who had been practicing for months.
In the last edition of the Junior Athletics, Abdullah claimed silver in the same event. He also bagged bronze in the 4*400m relay in the SAFF Junior Championship in India and yet received no appreciation for his efforts from his district due to which his financial condition remained the same.
Abdullah made a few friends while participating last year and he borrowed running shoes from one of them (Bahar) before running the heats in the morning and then borrowed another pair from a fellow athlete (Kashem) for the finals. He took 11.10s to complete his run and in the process broke his previous personal best of 11.16s.
“I’m really happy today (yesterday). I finished second in the same event last year so I was determined to win gold this time. It was tough for me. I didn’t have enough time for practise and couldn’t manage running shoes. I had to call some friends I met last year and borrowed their shoes,” said an elated Abdullah.
Abdullah is now studying in his first year as a HSC student. Following numerous local athletics championship successes, he caught the attention of local coach Mizanur Rahman. Mizanur, providing expenses from his own pocket, encouraged Abdullah to take part in the National Junior Athletics last year.
“If it was not for Mizan bhai I would not have come so far. The district sports association didn’t provide me enough support and what they did was just to avoid responsibility while he (Mizanur) spent his own money to help me,” he added.
Abdullah went to Nagarkot in India for the SAFF Junior Championship where he was scheduled to participate in the 4*100m relay but later on ended up taking part in the 4*400m relay. Despite having no preparation for the 4*400m relay, politicking and partiality of the coaches forced him to change his event. A lack of preparation did not hinder him as he led Bangladesh to a bronze finish.
“I ran so fast that I didn’t hear anything for the next half-an-hour after I finished my run,” he said.
Abdullah might not have to look back now as his creditable performance will help him to attract financial suitors. But there are many junior athletes like Abdullah who have the potential but due to a lack of patronisation and financial support, they fade away and the young lad from Natore hoped for a brighter future for the upcoming prospects.
“I had to overcome many obstacles in my life and I have seen the worst. Now I fear nothing,” concluded Abdullah with a brave face.
