- Bangladesh national football team winger Jafar Iqbal. Photo : BSS

BANDARBAN, Nov 1, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh national football team winger Jafar Iqbal said a footballer needs indomitable willpower along with hard work and dedication to establish himself as a successful player.

"Hard work alone is not enough. A footballer must spend sufficient time on the field and stay focused to achieve success," said Jafar, who hails from the hilly district of Bandarban, to BSS.

He said Bangladesh football is progressing gradually and the quality of local players has improved significantly in recent years. "Our local players are now performing equally well alongside foreign players in the domestic league," he added.

After beginning his professional career with Arambagh Krira Sangha in 2016, Jafar's performance soon earned him a call to Chittagong Abahani Limited. Later, he joined Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club in the 2020-21 season from Saif Sporting Club.

Life, however, was not easy for the talented winger. Jafar revealed that he did not receive enough support from his family when he decided to pursue football. His parents had little interest in sports, and his father wanted him to take over the family's grocery business.

"But I had no intention of joining the business. My dream was to become a footballer. I always followed the movements and practices of professional players to learn and improve," he said.

During his early days, Jafar had no coaching panel to guide him. "Whatever I learned came from playing with local footballers in Bandarban," he recalled.

"I played my first football match in an Under-14 tournament at Rangamati Stadium. I was the captain of the Bandarban team, which finished runners-up. After that, I never looked back. I became the first player from Bandarban to join Dilkusha Club," Jafar added.

Jafar's journey took a significant turn when Arambagh Krira Sangha showed interest in recruiting him for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). During that season, Arambagh also finished runners-up in the Federation Cup. His impressive performance in both tournaments earned him a call-up to the national football team.

Jafar made his Bangladesh U-18 debut against India during the 2017 SAFF U-18 Championship, where he played a key role in Bangladesh's remarkable 4-3 comeback win after trailing 0-3 at halftime. He scored a brace in that match and went on to win the Golden Boot award, scoring five goals in four matches.

Since making his top-tier debut in 2016, Jafar has been regarded as one of the promising stars of Bangladesh football.

When asked about football in Bandarban, he said it remains difficult for young players to pursue the sport in his hometown due to the lack of academies, adequate fields, and proper training facilities.

"If these supports can be ensured, more talented players will surely emerge from Bandarban," Jafar concluded.