Under-17 Footballer Muktadir Alam Set for Global Exposure in Sri Lanka

January 02,2026

• From a remote village to an international destination

Kamal Kumar Biswas.TOD. Balurghat

In a compelling example of how grassroots sports initiatives can open global doors, Muktadir Alam, a Class VI student from the remote Chenchra village in Tapan block of South Dinajpur district, has been selected for advanced football training in Sri Lanka. The young footballer is the first among nine players chosen through a tournament organised by Balurghat MP and Union Minister Dr. Sukanta Majumdar to promote sports in his parliamentary constituency.

The football tournament, held at the Balurghat Town Club ground, drew around 450 young players from across the region. A reputed football coach from Mumbai was brought in to scout talent, ultimately selecting nine promising footballers who will receive professional training abroad.

Dr. Majumdar said the initiative was aimed at identifying hidden talent from marginal and rural areas. “Through this tournament, we selected nine footballers with the help of an experienced coach from Mumbai who will soon undergo training overseas. Muktadir met me today and informed me that he will be leaving for Sri Lanka in the coming days. I strongly believe that after receiving international training, these children will contribute meaningfully to the future of football in Bengal and in India,” he said.

For Muktadir, whose father Matiur Rahman is a school teacher, the opportunity represents a dream taking shape far from the urban football academies that often dominate talent pipelines. “I was selected during the football event organised by MP Sukanta Majumdar at the Balurghat Town Club ground,” Mukhtadir said. “I will be going abroad for football training on the 13th. Before that, I will train in Mumbai for seven days. I came today to meet the MP before leaving.”

His father expressed pride and emotion at his son’s achievement. “I am extremely happy with my son’s success,” Mr. Rahman said. “From the age of four or five, his dream has been to become a footballer. Out of 450 players, my son was selected for overseas training through this tournament. That itself is a matter of immense joy for our family.”

Mukhtadir’s journey—from a remote rural hamlet to international football coaching—highlights the growing impact of local sports initiatives in uncovering talent beyond traditional centers, and offers a glimpse of how India’s football ambitions may increasingly be shaped far from its major cities.