If you could ever have the chance to manage your dream football team, how far would you go to show your devotion and patience for the sport? To answer this question, Ishtiaque Amin, a resident of Dhaka city, has gone out of his way to prove his dedication and love for the sport by creating history and winning the first ever official Premier League Player Exchange 2012/13; a feat achieved by beating hundreds of thousand participants around the world!
For most people, when it comes to “the beautiful game”, the first thing that comes to mind would definitely be the playing part of the sport. The significance of being able to play as well as the legends, or being able to be as skillful, would definitely be any football fan’s dream. However, one of the most important parts of this sport that has rarely ever been prioritised with equal admiration would be the strategic side to the game, and with winning this tournament, Ishtiaque has proved how being the manageris just as important as being the player.
A Manchester United fan, Ishtiaque is studying for his undergraduate in BBA at the United International University (UIU). Being a fan of the sport for as long as he can remember, Ishtiaque started playing the online fantasy football tournament after regularly following Sportscentre on Star Sports back during the 2011/12 season. While going through the official website for the tournament, when Ishtiaque found out about the Premier League Player Exchange tournament, he signed up right away. As Ishtiaque says, “At my first attempt, I didn’t start off well, but I kept at it hoping to get lucky, and soon enough after a few strategic decisions, I eventually won the manager of the month of February, as well as an iPad.” The victory placed Ishtiaque as 6th on the list of the winners from all over the world, and with this boost of confidence, he was more determined than ever to win the grand prize.
“Winning this tournament has been the greatest achievement of my life till now and being able to beat thousands of participants from all over the world in a strategic contest to win such a fantastic prize is a dream come true. I feel extremely proud, not just for winning the tournament, but also for being able to successfully represent Bangladesh in the global fantasy football stage,” says an overwhelmed Ishtiaque.
Being the winner of the Premier League Player Exchange (PLPE), Ishtiaque has won a VIP trip for two to a Barclays Premier League match featuring a team of his choice, and of course, being a United fan, Ishtiaque has chose the Manchester United versus Manchester City match. He will either be going for the home match, around December, or the away match, in February, depending on which would be a convenient time for him to get out of the country.
The whole idea of playing online tournaments and games such as these, may not have been the most popular platform until now, but it just goes to show, that if you put in some dedication and effort towards something that you’re passionate about, you might just to get make your dreams come true.
Interview Snippet:
Usually most football fans choose to rather play the sport than take on the managerial duties. What made you choose to take the decisive angle of the game?
During my teen years, ofcourse, I preferred to play the game itself. But the more I watched the beautiful game I really started appreciating the tactical side of football. I believe I quickly grasped a firm understanding of it and how most teams operate. Then I realised the best place to express that was through fantasy football where I could win based on my understanding of the game and judgment of the players.
What’s your opinion on the entire Bangladesh online fantasy football scene?
I thought it was quite big before, but I was very surprised when I saw random people congratulating me in the oddest places around Dhaka. Clearly fantasy football has become huge in Bangladesh in just a few years and it seems like it's only going to get bigger and bigger.
Do you have any advice or opinion to share with the newcomers in this game?
My advice to new comers would be to take as much advice as possible from experienced players and try to be completely unbiased when picking your squad. Your favourite player might have very bad fixtures or form and if you still insist on picking him your team will suffer. And most importantly never give up! Alot of luck is involved in Fantasy football so if you keep at it, things can easily go right for you eventually.
