In the space of a single week, two young people from Gazaria reminded Munshiganj what its sporting talent can achieve. Fatiha Mahtab Maisha, from Rasulpur village in Imampur union, was named best female swimmer at the national championship held in Mirpur from 28 to 31 October, winning five gold medals and setting three national records. Days earlier, Robin, a Geography and Environment student at Government Harganga College whose family lives in Nagerchar village, recorded his best time in the men's 800 metres at the national summer athletics competition at the National Stadium in Dhaka, which ran from 23 to 25 October and drew 565 athletes from 57 organisations.

Neither story is a fluke. Maisha learned to swim under her grandfather, a former international swimmer, and came back from a long break with the help of an experienced coach. Robin competed against athletes from the army, the navy and BKSP after overcoming hardships at home and at his institution, according to local reports. What both stories share is that the decisive support came from family and individual mentors rather than from a structured local system.

That is where Munshiganj can do better. The district needs a clear pathway from village ponds and school fields to regional and national competition. Upazila sports bodies and schools could organise regular inter-school swimming, athletics and football meets, with girls' events treated as standard rather than an afterthought. Colleges such as Harganga, already strong academically, could give student athletes flexible schedules and public recognition. Local businesses, including cold storage and trading houses, could sponsor kits, travel and training camps in return for modest visibility.

Our rivers and ponds are a natural asset, but swimming should also be taught safely and systematically, with trained instructors. The district administration's monthly Award of Excellence for educational institutions already shows how recognition motivates people. A similar award for sporting achievement would cost little and say a lot.

Robin's father has said that proper support could help his son represent Bangladesh internationally. He is right, and the same is true for many young people across Bikrampur. The talent is here. Our job is to make sure the next Maisha or Robin does not have to rely on luck.

Photo: Zblace, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons