Abu Talha. Photo: BSS

LALMONIRHAT, July 11, 2025 (BSS)- Abu Talha, a student of Borabari Collegepara Football Academy in Lalmonirhat sadar upazila who is participating in the international youth football tournament 'La Liga Youth Tournament 2025', aim to play for the national football team.

He is representing Jafrani Sporting Club for the Bangladesh Under-16 team in this tournament which is being held in Malaysia.

The Bangladesh team has been formed by selecting talented players from the U-16 level under the supervision of 'Hello Superstars'. 

Recently, Abu Talha, the younger son of fish trader Abul Kashem in Jolapara village under Chinai Union in Rajarhat upazila of Kurigram district, got a chance in this team.

Talha is also a 10th grade student at Kathalbari Nurullah Fazil Degree Madrasa. The young man, who moves forward with hard work, confidence and dreams, said, "I dream of playing for the Bangladesh national football team one day. I see this opportunity as the first step towards that dream. I am very happy to have the opportunity in the La Liga Youth Tournament. Apart from me, another person from our academy has got the opportunity."

Abul Kashem, father of Abu Talha, told BSS, "I am very happy to hear that my son is playing La Liga. People from the area are coming to see him. I am a poor man and I make a living by selling fish. Still, I always pray to Allah to fulfill my son's dream."
 
His mother Asia Begum said, "My prayer is that my son shines like a light. He has reached here through a lot of struggle. I want him to make our family and country shine."
 
ABM Feroz Siddique Apel, director of Barabari Collegepara Football Academy, said, "The students of my academy are playing at the national and international levels-it is a matter of pride for us. Abu Talha is a very good player. I believe that one day he will wear the national team jersey."

Abu Talha participated in the field-level selection organised at the BKSP athletics track held on June 16 last. 

Former Director General of BKSP Lt. Col. (retd) MA Latif Khan, former national team captain Kaiser Hamid, former national booters Mamunul Islam and Zahid Hasan Amily served as the judges in this camp, organised after the online selection. 

Later, the 16-member team was finally selected.

The La Liga tournament has begun from today (Friday) in Malaysia, organised by Shambil Park, the official partner of La Liga. 

Last year, the tournament was held in Indonesia. This year, the La Liga Youth tournament will be held in three countries-- Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.