Against All Odds - Samrat Hussen

Samrat Hussen with Trophy

No one wanted to take him in the team. But he would insist, and take up the responsibility of carrying jersey, water and ball. Eventually, defying all odds of being physically handicapped, he managed to play and turned out to be a goal machine. He is Samrat Hussen, an indomitable teen of Rajshahi.

On the inaugural match of a recent football tournament in Rajshahi, many spectators in the gallery couldn't hold their laughter seeing a little boy, and yet physically challenged, in the match of adults. The game started and barely two minutes have passed when Samrat sent the ball into the net of opposition side. The audience was dumb-founded and soon the gallery erupted in applause.

On that day, he made it clear that he may be physically challenged but he is not the person to be trifled with. He became the highest goal scorer of the tournament, with eight goals in six matches.

Samrat was born with defects on his left leg, shorter than the right one. Moreover, in childhood he fell off a tree and sustained lasting injuries in neck and stomach. Misery did not stop there. An excessive amount of flesh is continuously swelling from his abdomen to chest. Problems are growing worse day by day. But he seems to have got an incredible heart with undeterred spirit.

Being a footballer is his childhood dream. These physical problems could barely slow him down, rather gave way to his dream. He is now a stunning footballer. He clinched trophies of highest goal scorer in several local football tournaments in Rajshahi division. And for his stellar performance, he received 40 medals so far.

The Councilor Cup is the most prestigious football trophy in Rajshahi, organised by the city mayor. Samrat stunned the audience of the tournament this year. And seeing his sublime performance, a teacher of Rajshahi University, presented him a football worth Tk. 2000.

Like every human being, he too has had highs and lows in life. Once he left school out of frustration. But when he understood the value of education, he got admitted in the city's Raninagar night school. Now he is a student of class ten.

The Head Master of the school Shariful Islam said: "He got a strong willpower and we are amazed to see his confidence. We are trying to support him in every possible way."

Aside from physical challenges, Samrat has financial challenges to meet as he has to fend for himself and also for his family. So there is no time to waste. At night he goes to school, in day time he works at a shop, in the evening he teaches a student and whenever has spare time he practice football.

Thus with constant struggle, he has been trying to fulfill the challenges that life has burdened upon him.

Courtesy - Daily Sunশিক্ষা সংক্রান্ত খবরাখবর নিয়মিত পেতে রেজিস্ট্রেশন করুন অথবা Log In করুন।

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