Shams-ul-Huda Football Academy (SHFA), one of Bangladesh’s most respected football development institutions, has successfully concluded its two-day nationwide player selection trials in Jessore, reaffirming its position as a leading pathway for future national football talent.
The trials, held at the academy’s expansive Hamidpur campus—approximately six kilometres east of Jessore city—began on Friday at 8:00 AM and attracted an overwhelming response from aspiring footballers across the country. Nearly 2,500 young players participated in the selection process.
The first day saw close to 2,000 players aged between 10 and 18 arriving from different regions of Bangladesh to undergo preliminary assessments. On Saturday, the focus shifted to local talent, with around 500 players from the Jessore district showcasing their skills.
Participants were divided into small groups and assessed through short, high-intensity match situations. The coaching staff closely evaluated players’ technical ability, tactical understanding, teamwork, physical fitness, and overall game awareness. Players who stood out during this phase will be invited to a seven-day residential camp, where their progress will be monitored more intensively through structured training, fitness evaluation, and technical development programmes.
The academy operates under the supervision of a Head Coach, supported by four permanent coaches. For the nationwide trials, an expanded panel of 12 to 15 coaches—including guest coaches from different parts of the country—was engaged to ensure a comprehensive and transparent evaluation process.
Selected players at Shams-ul-Huda Football Academy benefit from a fully residential programme, including accommodation, nutritious meals, and modern football training. Spread across nearly 65 acres, the academy features three international-standard football pitches, with a fourth currently under construction. A six-storey multipurpose residential building accommodates up to 240 players, complemented by additional training, recreational, and development facilities that support a holistic athlete-development environment.
The growing scale of participation reflects SHFA’s increasing impact on grassroots football in Bangladesh. In 2024, 1,465 players attended the trials, with several selected players later representing Bangladesh at Under-17 and Under-19 national levels—highlighting the academy’s proven success in talent identification and development.
Committed to discovering promising footballers from the grassroots and shaping them into disciplined, competitive professionals, Shams-ul-Huda Football Academy continues to play a vital role in the advancement of Bangladeshi football through modern coaching, structured development, teamwork, and physical conditioning.
