Sheffield United’s humble hero is a national treasure 5,000 miles away as remarkable scenes underline status
Hamza Choudhury is looking to help Bangladesh into the SAFF Championship final today, with some remarkable scenes this week highlighting how big a deal the Sheffield United man has become 5,000 miles away...
Those who work with Hamza Choudhury at Sheffield United speak of a humble and understated presence. On the pitch, he is an unassuming, dependable presence; give him a job to do and you can be pretty sure he'll do it.
But around 5,000 miles away in Bangladesh, his standing is a completely different story. The 29-year-old is seen as something of a national treasure; even the mere mention of him on The Star’s Facebook page sparks a barrage of green and flags. Bangladeshis can’t get enough of their humble hero.
His star only rose this week when he captained his country for the first time, scoring in a 4-0 win over Sri Lanka in the SAFF Championship. That game saw hundreds of supporters force their way through the gates of the National Stadium for a glimpse of Choudhury, with security struggling to control the crowd.
Choudhury-mania was in stark contrast to the disappointing attendance during the early matches of the tournament, with the cost of tickets drawing complaints and a 50 per cent discount for students making little difference.
One fan, Minar Hossain, told the Daily Sun: "All my friends had already entered the stands, but I was stuck because the ticket checkers could not control the crowd and closed the gate. Even after the match started, they were not opening it. Later, when supporters broke through the gate, I entered with them.”
He and his fellow fans who managed to get inside had plenty to celebrate as Bangladesh breezed past Sri Lanka and it was another reminder of the significance he has acquired since committing his international future to Bangladesh, the country of his mother's heritage.
Choudhury was born in Loughborough and is a former England U21 international, but is well aware of the affection Bangladesh supporters have for him.
"The support and love people show me mean so much," he said this week. "Even when I play in England, Bangladeshi supporters travel there to watch me. It means a lot to me, and it means a lot to my family."
"Supporters spend a lot of money and time to watch us play," he said. "It is now our responsibility to repay their love by winning matches."
That is a message which has become increasingly important as expectations have grown around Bangladesh, who are chasing their first SAFF Championship title since 2003 and face Pakistan in the semi-finals this weekend.