The National Sports Council (NSC) has called upon all federations in the country to integrate high-skilled athletes of Bangladeshi origin and encourage them to represent Bangladesh.  

On Wednesday, NSC Secretary Md. Aminul Islam issued an official letter to the presidents and secretaries of all sports federations, calling for proactive measures to identify and include Bangladeshi-origin athletes competing at high levels internationally.

The move comes after British-born footballer Hamza Choudhury's inclusion in the Bangladesh football team which has created waves of hope and optimism amongst the people of the country. The arrival of Hamza has ignited new excitement in Bangladesh's sports scene, drawing widespread interest from supporters. His debut for the national football team has underscored the potential of athletes of Bangladeshi origin who have found success abroad.

The letter emphasised the government's commitment to supporting these efforts, stating:

"Federations are urged to take the initiative to include skilled athletes of Bangladeshi origin —those who are based abroad and have played significant roles at the national level in their respective countries —into Bangladesh's national teams. The Advisor to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Chairman of the National Sports Council have both pledged full cooperation in this endeavour. The NSC will continue to stand by the federations in every such initiative."

Citing Hamza Chowdhury as a successful example, the NSC highlighted the importance of nurturing talent developed overseas under the national flag.

"These individuals are a source of pride for the nation. Hamza Chowdhury now represents the fifty-six thousand square miles of Bangladesh in football. Inspired by this, Canadian expatriate Shamit Shome has also expressed interest in donning the national jersey. Additionally, steps are underway to grant Bangladeshi citizenship to American gymnast Jack Ashikul Islam," the letter added.

Hamza made his debut for the Bangladesh national football team on March 25. While a contracted player for English Premier League side Leicester City, he is currently playing on loan for Sheffield United in the Championship. His inclusion has generated significant enthusiasm within the country's football community. In the wake of this momentum, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has initiated the process of bringing in Shamit Some from Canada.

The inclusion of diaspora players in the national team is not new. Danish-born Jamal Bhuiyan became the first to represent Bangladesh in 2013. He was joined later by Finnish expatriate Tariq Kazi.

In addition to football, athletes of Bangladeshi descent have also represented the nation in various other sports in recent years. These include British-born sprinter Imranur Rahman, American gymnast Syque Caesar, English swimmer Zunaina Ahmed, and American boxer Zeenat Ferdous.