Published: 10:37 AM, 01 August 2026
New head coach of BD national hockey team arrives in Dhaka
The newly appointed head coach of Bangladesh national hockey team Peter Gerhard arrived in Dhaka on early Friday. He was warmly welcomed by officials of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHFE) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The experienced German coach has been given the responsibility to improve the quality of Bangladesh hockey and further strengthen the team's recent performance in the international arena.
Peter will start working with the players who are in the Asian Games camp very soon. Upon arriving in Dhaka, Peter Gerhard said in his brief response, "In my opinion, the hockey team is a much better team than the results they have achieved in the past tournaments. We have to improve this situation and we will work on that." Referring to the challenges ahead and the long-term benefits, he added, "The players will have to go through a lot of difficult times in the coming weeks, they will have to work hard; but in the end they will be able to enjoy the sweet fruits of it."
Recalling his long association with Bangladesh Hockey and wishing the Hockey Federation officials all the best, the German coach said, "I have known Prince (ArifulHaque Prince) for a long time, and Ishtiaq (the new general secretary) is Sadeq's son. I hope these two are very good people and will play a positive role for the team."
It is worth noting that this experienced German coach has previously served as the coach of Bangladesh Hockey for various terms.
Meanwhile, in view of the upcoming Asian Games, 6 more experienced and talented players have been included in the ongoing national hockey camp under the Bangladesh Hockey Federation.
The newly formed selection committee of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation decided to call these players to the camp as the first decision after assuming office. The newly called players in the camp are - Abu Sayeed Nippon, Md. NaeemUddin, Md. Shishir, PushparKhisaMimo, Russell Mahmud Jimmy and Shahidul Haque Saikat.
The decision was finalized by the members of the new selection committee in an emergency meeting of the Hockey Federation on Thursday. The committee informed that these players have been added to the team with a combination of talent and experience to bring the best results for the country in an international and prestigious stage like the Asian Games.
The federation hopes that the new inclusion will further increase the competitiveness of the ongoing camp and the morale of the players. Starting tomorrow, these 6 players will join the ongoing official camp at the MaulanaBhasani Hockey Stadium and prepare with the rest of the players to form the final team for the Asian Games. The Bangladesh Hockey Federation hopes that this combination of senior and junior players will help build Bangladesh as a strong team for the Asian Games.
