Papon of Barhatta: The Hero of Bangladesh’s Victory

From the impoverished village of Barhatta in Netrakona district, Bangladesh footballer Papon Singh has emerged as a national hero. In only his third international match, Papon came off the bench against the Maldives to score a decisive goal in extra time, securing a dramatic victory for his team. His triumph has ignited celebrations among his friends, family, and the entire Barhatta community.

The young midfielder, who first debuted for the national team on June 1, 2022, has played three matches so far. When he received his first call-up to the national squad, Papon promised to give everything to help his team win. Over two years later, he fulfilled that promise. Now 23, Papon seized his moment on Saturday as a substitute, scoring a match-winning goal that brought joy not only to his team but to an entire nation.

It was coach Javier Cabrera who initially recognized Papon’s potential and invited him to the national training camp. However, the young player struggled to secure a permanent spot in the starting eleven. Even in Saturday’s game, his time on the pitch was limited. But in those fleeting moments, Papon delivered the highlight of his career.

In the match against the Maldives, Papon entered the field in the 89th minute as a substitute for captain Sohel Rana. By then, the game was tied at 1-1, and the regular 90 minutes had ended. With the match heading into seven minutes of extra time, the pressure was on to avoid losing the FIFA friendly series at home. Determined to turn the tide, Papon vowed to himself, *“We must win this. Losing to the Maldives is unacceptable. I’ll give it my all to secure victory for the team.”*

His goal was met with elation, and the people of Barhatta took to social media to share videos of the moment, celebrating their local hero. 

Papon’s childhood friend Tarek expressed his joy, saying, “Papon bhai is just a few years older than me, and we grew up playing together. To see him become the hero of Bangladesh’s victory fills my heart with pride. From the small fields of Barhatta to the national stage, Papon bhai has made us all proud. My best wishes are always with him.”

Born into a modest family, Papon is the only child of his parents. Growing up in a humble mud house, his passion for football began in 2009 when he participated in the “Bangabandhu Primary School Gold Cup.” His journey continued as he played for Mirpur City Club in the Pioneer League, caught the attention of Dhaka Mohammedan’s “B” team, and eventually joined the ranks of Uttar Baridhara in the Premier League. For the past two years, he has been playing for Dhaka Abahani.

When Papon received his first call-up to the national team two years ago, his mother was overjoyed, even though she didn’t fully understand the significance of her son’s achievement. Saturday’s match-winning goal has surely made her even prouder. 

This game marked the final match of the year for the Bangladesh team, and Papon ensured it ended on a high note. As the celebrations continue, all eyes are on his bright future in football.

more: Bangladesh Stuns Maldives 2-1 in Thrilling Second Match