Field Hockey, one of the largest team sports in the world, is played by more than hundred countries. Only after football and kabaddi, it was one of the most popular sports of Bangladesh for quite long time. Climate of Bengal never offered the best ground for hockey to be staged throughout the year because of lengthy monsoon season. Here, it became more of a winter game like badminton. There was time it was played with tree branch or bamboo sticks at many places in the capital and other parts of the country. Not so long ago it fell behind cricket among public choices only by the turn of the millennium. Bangladesh is still among top eight hockey nations of the continent. But, irregularity of domestic competition and squabble in hockey federation and among the clubs have halted further prospect of the game and shed little hope for the future, said the respective authorities.

Early phase

British civil surgeon James Taylor in his significant book title ‘A sketch of the topography of Dhaka’, published in 1840, described a popular sport of this region. He writes, “The principle athletic game of the district is called ‘Aru Unda’, and somewhat resembles that of golf. It is played with short bamboo clubs and wooden balls by two parties opposed to each other, and is a common and favourite amusement among young people in the country during the cold season.” The description looks like hockey also but it could as well be traditional country game called ‘danguli’ or tip-cat. No more hints about the existence of hockey before the British rule is found elsewhere.

Hockey, however, began to be played in England in the late nineteenth century. New rules were incorporated there at the same period. British Army brought this game to India and Bengal. Dhaka Sporting Association, formed in 1895-96, took initiatives to organize hockey events. They held tournaments like ‘Nathan Cup’, ‘Atik Ullah Cup’, ‘Hare Cup Challenge Trophy’. It became popular sport among the members of Nawab family of Dhaka. Nawab Sir Salimullah brought some hockey sticks from Kolkata and distributed them among the relatives. Veteran player, organizer and Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF)’s founding general secretary, Mahmudur Rahman Momin also wrote in his book titled ‘Banglar Matite Hockey Juge Juge’ that Nawab family members also carried hockey sticks wherever they went. “It became a symbol of aristocracy”.

Along with British military force, Eastern Frontier Rifles, Nawab Union Club started playing the game. Police and Dhaka College also formed hockey team. Educational institutes like Armanitola High School, Jagannath College, Collegiate School spread it among the students under supervision of British teachers. Wari, Victoria, British Army teams also formed at the start of 20th century. They played hockey each other.

Momin mentioned some notable players of the 1930s and 1940s in an article for newspaper supplement published before 1985 Asia Cup in Dhaka. K Alim, A Sattar, A Rashid, Sreekanta, Mona, Babu, Wazir Ali, K Yusuf Reza, Rahman Qader, Fakhbul Islam, Justice wadud Chowdhury,  Nawab Hasan Askari are among them. Some of them played Kolkata league. Wari and Bachelors takes part regularly in Nikhil Bharat Cup. Khwaja Yusuf Reza was popular in Kolkata, he was known as ‘Dhaka ka Malmal’ (Maslin of Dhaka). Hockey legend Dhyan Chand also exhibited his stick works in Dhaka in the 1940s due to his association with Gurkha regiment who set camp in Pilkhana during 2nd World War.

After the Partition

All sports disciplines brought under East Pakistan Sports Federation few years after the partition. Hockey was the top sport in West Pakistan. They built one of the best teams in the world and won two Olympic golds, three Asian Games and one World Cup before Bangladesh achieved independence. The game also gathered more stride in East Pakistan from early 1960s. It spread to different districts like Faridpur, Mymensingh, Jessore, Chattogram and Sylhet. League and tournaments started taking place regularly during the winter. Still, players of the West always got more privileges and their teams beat East Pakistan during most of the face-offs.

The partition saw many sportspersons shift their home to West Bengal. For more than a decade since then the foreign players like the Makranis dominated Dhaka’s hockey. The games played at the field of Ramna Green. Here, Bashir Ahmed, first Bangali to play for Pakistan national hockey team, received offer from Brothers. He soon moved to Victoria, then Mohammedan and played cricket and football too. Pakistan played a five-match test series against Kenya in 1962. Bashir was called for national team camp before but it was the second game against Kenya he made first-team debut. He got another chance against Netherlands five years later. 

Abdus Sadeque was other Bangali player who made it into Pakistan national team.  The veteran was reached over phone. He said he was initially interested in cricket and football. In 1961, he was selected for a national hockey camp where players were called from all Pakistan school and college. He caught attention from the coach who inspired him to carry on hockey. He played for Azad Sporting in the first division after return. He was reading class 9. Sadeque played cricket, football and hockey league at top tier during playing career and later became a coach, organizer, and lately the general secretary of hockey federation. He is considered the finest hockey player of 1960-70s.

The hockey legend recalled that team from East Pakistan used to participate in national hockey but no notable success until 1966 when they got a win over Pakistan Navy. He paid respect to Bashir as his mentor and inspiration. Getting called up for Pakistan’s 1968 Olympics hockey camp but not in main squad until next year ‘s Europe tour. He recaped he was the only Bangali in the squad. Sadeque as center-half, Ibrahim Saber and Mohsin in the other halves were known as ‘Triratna’ and built a tough wall in East Pakistan defence. Saber was other Bangali player who made it into the Pakistan national team after Sadeque.

Pakistan was two-time Olympics and three-time Asian Games winners until the war. They never played East Pakistan except once a year before the war. It was a charity match for the relief fund of 1970 cyclone victims. While returning from winning Asian Games in Bangkok, the champions paused in Dhaka. Anti-government movement was uprising in Bangladesh part. Underprepared East Pakistan gave the visitors, who clinched World Hockey title following year, a hard fight for the win of a solitary goal in Paltan. Momin was one of the umpires of that game. He played hockey and football in top division starting career at Victoria Club in 1954. Bashir also played hockey and cricket at the same club. He mentioned Sadeque as the best hockey player of his time.

Post Liberation Hockey

Although hockey was next to football in terms of popularity but overshadowed by superior Pakistan during the preceding decades. Momin’s book also tells that there was no separate federation or an office or venue for hockey in East Pakistan. Soon after Bangladesh achieved independence, some 18-20 sports federations formed and hockey was just second in the row. It took the war-affected country some years to restore the team.

In domestic scene, a new powerhouse was born in the name of Abahani Krira Chakra. Stars like Sadeque, Saber, Mohsin, Sona Mia, Sabbir Yusuf, Shamsul Bari all joined the Dhanmondi giants. Mahuttoly won the First Division Hockey League in 1974, then, Abahani clinched the titles three times in a row. The Sky Blues won the first two editions of Shaheed Smrity Hockey Championship in 1973-74 beating Sonali Bank and Mahouttuli respectively in the final. Sonali Bank , where Momin ended playing career, won the first Independence Day Hockey Championship 1973 beating Abahani. Abahani took revenge by winning back-to-back titles in the following editions. The political turmoil and tragedy of 15 August 1975 made things difficult for Abahani as the club’s founder Sheikh Kamal was assassinated along with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of family members. Players, officials and organisers faced immense pressure. The club couldn’t reach the year’s Shaheed Smrity hockey final which was won by Mahuttuli club. They were also the losing finalists of next three editions but managed to keep the top-flight league trophies on the cabinet before Mohammedan came into the scene to win back-to-back titles in 1979-80. These two clubs are the most successful in the top-flight league.

It was not until 1978 that the national team was formed to play four friendly against Sri Lanka. Two held in Dhaka and the rest in Faridpur and Mymensingh. Three ended in draw while the visitors won the other with Swadhin Bangla Football Team vice-captain Pratap Shankar Hazra leading the side. It made debut at the Asian Games same year with Sadeque as captain and Ibrahim Saber his deputy. Bangladesh’s first official competition took place in Bangkok. It took revenge against Sri Lanka, drew Thailand and lost to Japan, Pakistan and Hong Kong.

Hockey federation faced organizational disorder in the early 1980s. It failed to take lessons from 17-0 defeat against Pakistan at the Asiad and criticisms afterwards. All members quit the federation on 11 February, 1981. No international participation preceding three years. No domestic event for next eleven months until National Sports Control Board, now NSC, reformed the committee on 20 January, 1982. Sadeque was requested to organize the group so that Bangladesh could take part in the first Asia Cup, otherwise, their affiliation with the world’s hockey governing body would have been cut off. He also led the touring side as manager. Five players made first-team debut. But progress was there as Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by bigger 4-0 margin. They conceded 9 against hosts Pakistan. They also beat Hong Kong 3-2 at Asian Games held in New Delhi same year.

The Good Time

The game continued to revamp. Momin was brought back to the federation and given the responsibility of organizing committee of second Asia Cup held in Dhaka in 1985. Donations raised and it paid off. Support from the government too. It was the turning point. Not only it created big buzz prior to the meet but the hosts also performed outstandingly. Top ten Asian nations split into two groups took part. Other hockey legend Jumman Lusai’s treble gave them 3-0 start over Iran. The most notable show was against champions Pakistan. They fought bravely for a praiseworthy 1-0 result. They also drew Japan 2-2 and China 1-1 in last two matches to finish at sixth. Full of admires everywhere.

“After the final, the players and officials of Pakistan and India told that they had never seen such huge crowd in any international event, not even in Olympics. They were like sinking in the sea of human.. It opens a new era in hockey.” Momin writes in his book.

Former hockey star and current national team head coach Mahbub Harun told the Maidan, “The wave spread to villages too after Asia Cup. Hockey played by tree branch and bamboo everywhere. It’s federation’s failure that we couldn’t bank on it.” The thrill inspired the youth and produced some youngsters afterwards. The national U-21 team made exceptional impact in the World Youth Hockey Championships held in New Delhi three years later. Here, Harun made debut. Bangladesh drew strong Malaysia and China to reach the semifinals where they conceded narrow 2-1 defeat against favourites South Korea. Eight players including Harun made into the senior side for the 1989 Asia Cup at the same venue but lost to Korea, China and Malaysia by big margin.

The top-flight league was competitive. It became more attractive to attract bigger crowds. The world hockey stars started coming to Dhaka from the 1990s. Mohammedan had World Cup winners Shahbaz Ahmed, Tahir Zaman, Mohammad Irfan while Abahani had the likes of Dhanraj Pillay, Sabu Varkey, Md Reaz and Ashish Ballal. Sports journalist and hockey expert Raihan Mahmud said, “Both money and craze was there. World’s top hockey stars came here to play the league.” He also added that a group of some of the best players Bangladesh ever produced rise up during that time. Isa Mia, Musa Mia come first. Then there were Mamunur Rashid, Rafiqul Islam Kamal, Mohammad Sadek, Alamgir Alam, Rabiuddin.

“They were very good player and together they took Bangladesh to a respectable stage. Every opponent counted Bangladesh team wherever they go. It continued until around 2000.”

“They showed great future and possibilities in hockey but rather it went downward due to organizational weaknesses. Everything was there – good infrastructures and good supports from world hockey governing bodies. Bangladesh could have been a hockey hub.”

It was during that good time hockey got a new venue. The prime venue of hockey shifted from Ramna to the eastern corner of Dhaka stadium, now Bangabandhu National Stadium, during Pakistan period. It moved to nearby Paltan field beside the handball stadium in early 1980s when synthetic turf was introduced in world hockey. The former athletics stadium was handed over exclusively to hockey in 1989 which later renamed Maulana Bhashani Stadium. It was then grass field. The green turf was set up some eight years later. New blue turf was installed in new millennium but by the time hockey fell behind cricket in terms of popularity.

Armanitola’s century-old tradition

There were two main hubs of hockey, both in Old Dhaka, one Nawab Bari and other Armanitola. Armanitola School in Old Dhaka has century-old tradition in producing budding athletes since the British rule. It has produced numerous hockey stars with three fields and four houses to nurture the students from early age and hold competitions among. Armanitola, inhabited by the Armenians in the eighteenth century, cover a wider area with different names to different street and para-mahalla.

Players hailed from the school surroundings acquired mainly by the elites of the city. Most prominent name is Mahouttuli. Mahout is a person who is rider, trainer and keeper of elephants. According to legends of Dhaka, it was the quarter of Mahout during the Mughal period. The place was renamed at least twice during British and Bangladesh era but colloquially it is still called Mahouttuli. There is such instance like 12 players out of total 16 of the national team came from this part.

A sports loving family of Mahuttuli left significant role in promoting the game. Six brothers from the family – Ujir Ali, Sadek Ali, Nazir Ali, Fakhrul Islam, Nurul Islam Nanna and Shamsul Islam Bachchu – were hockey players. “They played together during the 1950s. It was a big family. They have more than dozen more players among father, uncles, and nephews. Some of them played for East Pakistan team.” informed veteran organizer and BHF member Yusuf Ali. From their house No. 79 in Sharat Chandra Chakrabarty street, close to the Armanitola school, as mentioned in Krira Jagat Editor Dulal Mahmud’s book ‘Smrityr Ontorale Kriti Krirabidra’, Mahuttuli Sporting Club begun its journey. The old building is not anymore and replaced by new multi-storied one. Some years after the Independence, the club renamed as Usha Krira Chakra and shifted to a new building nearby.

The road leading from the school gate to the main building, established at the beginning of the twentieth century, gave birth to the rise of many stars. There are three fields surrounding the school. This is where hockey stars like Bashir Ahmed, Pratap Shankar Hazra, Abdus Sadeque, Mohammad Mohsin, Abdur Razzaq Sona Mia, Sabbir Yusuf took their hockey lessons. Juniors learned from the seniors and the seniors from sports teacher Rashid sir. There were four houses and sheer competition is what read and heard. 

The notable place of producing hockey stars outside the capital was Kamalapur area of Faridpur district. Harun came from this region. He said that when he was national team captain there was six members from the same place. He also mentioned Musa, Isa, Rubel, Miraj, Ejaz, Yamin. Among the top performers of last one decade and more, Mamunur Rahman Chayan and Mainul Islam Kaushik also came from Kamalapur. They were groomed at BKSP. Currently, almost all of national team members came from the same institute. BKSP recruits those who do well in junior level. Here is Armanitola too. The biggest hokey star of recent time Rasel Mahmud Jimmy is the son of legend Abdur Razzaq ‘Sona Mia’, started from his father’s shoes, studied in Armanitola before admitted to BKSP from class seven. BKSP currently has 115 hockey students including 16 women of the first batch.

What the present Armanitola holds

Ostad Fazlu has been coaching the students of Armanitola for at least two decades now. Sona Mia was his mentor. Among many national players, he coached Jimmy. He was a student of Armanitola school. Starting playing career at PWD in 1978-79, he played for Dhaka Wanderers, Mohammedan, Sadharan Bima, Sonali Bank and Victoria. He started coaching at the beginning of playing career in the 1980s.

The Covid-19 lockdown couldn’t halt Fazlu’s ‘meditation’ in hockey. He carried on coaching children of his locality. He said hockey and Armanitola School are like bone of his body. On the rooftop designed with hockey bar on the sidewall at his house in Nabalak Lane in Begumbazar, Old Dhaka, he passed the afternoons with daughter, nephews, and other children nearby teaching them how to hold hockey sticks, how to hit the ball and connect. It was pleasing long chat during one of those days. He is optimistic of hockey’s future. He said it is because of BKSP that his students got better and disciplined.

“When I played, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Faridpur were good at hockey. Now it is played in around 30 districts. So I would say the results of Armanitola school is like before. Still, may be because of the time and smartphones, we lag a bit behind. I hope we can rekindle the hockey tradition of old Dhaka. Training is still there in Armanitola school. The reason behind not producing players is mobile and other sports.”

Among his disciples, Fazlu mentioned more than dozen names of present and former national players. Armanitola became hattrick school hockey champions in 2018 and runners-up in last edition. In three age-groups , he currently trains around 70-80 students who come from different places of old Dhaka.

Irregularity and disputes

The top-tier Premier Division Hockey League is irregular for sixteen years. And when it takes places after unexpected gaps, there are disputes, vandalism, slamming the referees, suspensions and other consequences. When the federation was run by ad-hoc committees, criticism had it that the members used to come and go by the commands of higher officials and no steadiness. It has now been governed by an elected committee but yet stability is beyond the border. The squabbles among the federation members themselves and the spats between the clubs are ruining the game’s fairly images.

According to the documents supplied by BHF, Independence Day hockey tournament was abandoned in 1987 and no more editions for more than next two decades until 2011 but only three events since then. There are also no Shaheed Smrity Hockey Championship from 1983 to 2006 and only once since 2014. Victory Day Hockey Championship was introduced in 1981 but next one came in ten years later. Then only two more editions held in next 15 years. It was annual event until 2016 before became irregular again. Women’s National Hockey Championship was introduced in 1980 and two editions held in five years. It was reintroduced in 2012 and four editions have taken places so far. BKSP also included women’s hockey recently. National Youth Hockey and National Championship were quite regular until 2000 but not afterwards. School hockey was very irregular until 2012 and when it gets regular the participations have increased over the years.

When Premier Division Hockey League was introduced in 1998, first division league became second-tier. None of them are being held regularly after 2004. They became competitions of once a time in two years. Club Cup Hockey was introduced in 1997. It also rarely held annually since then.

The disputes and disciplinary issues are also there. Some of the instances are here. Then Club Cup runnersup, Usha was absent for league opener in 2010 and got suspended for nine months before they returned through court ruling. In 2016, some of the officials and fans of Mariner Youngs Club allegedly vandalized the VIP box of hockey stadium. They were 2-0 down and later beat Usha 3-2 to win maiden league title after 27 years. Two years later, it was again the Mariners in the title deciding league final against Mohammedan. There had been constant complaint against local umpires being biased which saw two Chinese conducting the crucial game. They had to leave the pitch after 44 minutes because of both the teams protesting against their decisions and refused to play more than once. A line from the country’s leading national daily’s coverage of the event writes, “the green turf looks like a stage of circus.” All of the clubs mentioned above are among top four hockey outfits of the country. Then, Usha relegated to second tier after admitting their failure to form a squad during the transfer window. Their appeal for the promotion for the upcoming edition is also rejected recently.

Poor wages and opportunities

Irregularities of the major competitions refute the regular flow of players’ livelihoods which in customary state itself is very low. This is not only the case of top players who represent the national team. No club bears the players all the year round except for few months during the on season.  Only the service teams like Navy, Army, Air Force provide job opportunities to its players. Players are deprived of main source of income when there is no league in a year.

During the last domestic league, the highest wage was less than 12 thousand US dollar. A very few players were around that figure and the last of such contract they got ended over 28 months ago after concluding of the last edition. The situation gets even worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A former national captain who wanted to be anonymous raise a question over the phone in ovimani tone, “Even the club footballers from the reserve bench earn more money than the highest-paid players in hockey. We have no league for two years. There is no wage from the federation. If the league doesn’t continue how can the players survive?”

Bangladesh players got a trail of opportunity to ply their trades in Europe after German coach Gerhard Peter Rach took the charges of the national team in early 2009. Peter was like an adviser in linking up the connections. Imran Hasan Pintoo and Pushkor Khisha Mimo went to play German second division, Moshiur Rahman Biplob in third division. Jimmy and Mosharraf Hossain played for Austrian second division clubs. It ensured their bread and butter for the time. Jimmy and Biplob played in Germany and Austria for three-four more times afterwards. This opportunity too is not availed again last five years.

Experts views

The last elected BHF general secretary Mominul Haque Sayeed has been hiding abroad for more than a year after infamous casino scandal. He was removed from the federation but his name can still be seen on the door of GS office room. Acting GS Mohammad Yusuf explained that a case was filed on the court against Sayeed’s removal from the post and they can’t remove the nameplate until the verdict. He also said that they are working on how to start the league but couldn’t predict any probable date.

Respective authorities opined that the downfall started after the turn of the millennium. Most relates it to the rising popularity of cricket which had taken hockey’s places gradually. The federation also couldn’t come up with the ideas how to revive. Rather lack of competitions and irregularity in the premier league pull it further behind.

Shamsul Bari was the longest serving general secretary. He served the BHF for 19 years starting from 1988. The veteran admitted the limitations, “Factional quarrel is behind hockey’s failure. There are not many organisers but still there are always conflicts. It’s like there are only 8-10 persons but split into two groups.”

“Now there is good flow of money but it is not utilized. The main thing is that the players are seriously affected. It becomes big deal to provide even Tk2-3Lakhs to the players. Standard has decreased despite financial upswing. Hockey can never rise without professionalism."

“It is not possible to get all the top talents of the country through a single institution (BKSP). There should be new initiatives for the players. The federation would do fine only if the players perform well. It should think about how to inspire the players. But even the league is not regular. For now, I see no possibility. It needs really good organisers.”

“If players have no earning then they move to other professions.” said Harun, who coached the national team for at least four different spells. He echoed the same tunes, “Federation is not stable. Someone comes today, another one tomorrow, and then he is gone too. Hockey is gone with all these fights.  I see no future.”

Sadeque was the general secretary prior to Sayeed. He felt there are not enough players in hockey. “It’s difficult to get 200 players. Now, the quality of BKSP players is not good enough which is a dangerous sign. Where will the players come from? Currently, I see no standard players like Jimmy, Chayan. If league is irregular and clubs can’t play regularly then the boys would lose their interest.”

He urged on organizing more competitions, in schools and colleges, countrywide. “Hockey is still popular when you see a game in district level. Lot of interest is there. I think it might get extinct one day the way it is going now.”

Raihan said, “There was huge craze for hockey until the 1990s. But it lost due to inconsistency. The leagues outside capital were strong. There were some 15 districts but not now. There was a big base in Old Dhaka but federation took no initiative groom this opportunity.”

Against all the odds, it was a good trip for Bangladesh team in international arena last eight years. They jumped some ten places up in world ranking to get among top 30 and sixth-place finish at the last Asia Cup after almost two decades. But with no game in two years, they slipped to 38th in the latest ranking. The same group of players will not be there to push the side up. Drag and flick specialist Chayan already called it a day. Jimmy has few more years but he may not have same power in his stick. BHF is trying to focus on the junior players as they host Junior Asia Cup as well as Asian Champions Trophy for the first time this year. If it can’t take lessons from the past all those concerns might come real.