SAFF winning booter Monika Chakma in a recent interview expressed deep emotions when discussing Birsen Chakma, acknowledging his significant role in her journey to becoming a national football player. Birsen Chakma, the former headmaster of Mogai Chhari Government Primary School in Kaukhali, Rangamati, was instrumental in discovering not only Monika but also Rituparna Chakma and Rupna Chakma, two other stars of the SAFF-winning women’s football team.
Monika, originally from Lakshmichhari in Khagrachari, was part of the 2011 Bangamata Football Festival, a nationwide event that encouraged schools to form teams of young footballers. Birsen Chakma, a football enthusiast, selected young talents from remote areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts to form a team for Mogai Chhari Government Primary School. Despite initial challenges, this team went on to win the national title, bringing Ritu, Monika, and Rupna into the spotlight.
Local coaches played a crucial role in refining these talents. Barun Bikash Dewan, the then general secretary of the Rangamati District Sports Association, had a distinguished career in Dhaka football during the 1990s, playing for top clubs like Abahani, Mohammedan, and Muktijoddha. He, along with his elder brother Arun Bikash Dewan, who also had a notable football career, coached Ritu, Rupna, and Monika. Their efforts paid off as these young players grew to become key figures in Bangladesh's football scene. The day Bangladesh clinched the SAFF Championship for the second consecutive time at Kathmandu's Dasharath Stadium, Rituparna was named the best player, Rupna the best goalkeeper, and Monika emerged as a vital player for the national team.
Rituparna Chakma lived near Birsen Chakma's home in Rangamati and was enrolled in Mogai Chhari Primary School by him. Her early talent was evident, and she quickly became a standout player. Rupna also attended the same school, while Monika was brought from Khagrachari. Birsen Chakma also discovered two sisters, Anai Mogini and Anuching Mogini, from Khagrachari, determined to establish these talented players at the national level. Lacking technical football knowledge, he sought assistance from Barun and Arun Dewan, who agreed to train the girls without any compensation. Their coaching helped fully develop the talents of Ritu, Monika, Rupna, Anai, and Anuching.
Barun Bikash Dewan recalled the early days of Ritu, Monika, and Rupna, noting their shyness and initial hesitation. He and his brother Arun worked closely with the young players, teaching them the fundamentals of football. Their dedication and hard work were instrumental in shaping these players into national champions. Monika Chakma herself acknowledged that they were initially unaware of how to play football, but through the guidance of their teachers and coaches, they learned and excelled. Gopal Sir from Morachengi Government Primary School in Lakshmichhari, Khagrachari, taught them the basics, while Birsen Sir inspired their dreams, and Barun and Arun Sirs provided the essential football training.
