After returning to her village in Panchagarh, the star goalkeeper of the Bangladesh Under-16 National women’s football team Yearjan was accorded a reception by her former football academy - ‘Tuk Football Academy’ on Saturday.
The football academy greeted her with bouquet when the local people and the academy’s players brought out a procession with Yaerjan.
Yearjan, who was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the SAFF Under-16 Women Football championship after denying here spot kick of tie-breaker against India in the final, came into limelight and turned into heroin.
When talking to the correspondent of the Bangladesh Post, Yaerjan’s father Abdur Razzak and mother Renu Begum said, “We think our daughter brings the moon from the sky. Sometimes, we confused whether it is true or dream, our daughter did a great job for the country. It is a blessing of Almighty.”
President and the coach of Tuk Football Academy, Tuku Rahman said, “I always try to produce a good player. I had a dream to produce quality player from the academy and always looking forward that once players of this academy reach to a good position. My dream comes true.
She came home after three months, we arrange a reception ceremony for her and we are proud of her.”
Yaerjan said, “I like thanks my coach Tuku Rahman, I am here due his proper guidance. Idi never think for me so many people will gather here. I tried to play for the country, keep me in your prayers, as I would continue my performances for the country.”
She said, “I played as goalkeeper in school level. I started playing as striker in the academy. I also played in defence. One day, my coach (Abu Taleb Tuku) said I have the nerves to be a goalkeeper. I agreed. Since then, I have been playing as goalkeeper.”
Tuku, a former footballer, runs a non-residential football academy for boys and girls at his own cost in Panchagarh.
He scouted Yearzan in his team after watching a Bangamata Primary School Football Tournament match.
He told that during a goalkeeping session at practice that he called Yearzan to try her luck under the bar and discovered that she was better than the main goalkeeper.
“She (Yearzan) used to play in attacking midfield. Around four-five years ago, I told her that she has the sense to become a goalkeeper. I taught her the technique of goalkeeping. She also worked very hard and came to the field hours before practice,” he said.
Yearzan is the first member of Tuku’s academy who got national team call since its formation in 2016.
Tuku informed that Yearzan made two penalty saves in a match of his team but never saw her make three saves before.
The Panchagarh-based coach recalled that he found Yearzan wearing No. 10 jersey before she joined his academy where she decided to take the No. 22 jersey.
“I liked the number 22 very much since childhood. I was asked if I’d want to wear No. 1 but I replied I want No. 22,” she said.
