From orphanage to junior champion

When paddler Abul Hashem Hasib should have been under the loving care of his parents at just three years of age, he was instead taken to an orphanage by his single mother and maternal grandfather following his father’s death and the family’s financial hardship.

That orphanage -- Child Heaven International in Chittagong -- proved a blessing in disguise. The home for parentless, destitute, disabled and underprivileged children supported Hasib for nine years and continues to back his sporting journey by paying his monthly school fees at BKSP. Hasib was admitted to the sports education institute in 2019 through a training camp held in Chittagong and is currently a Grade-12 student.

Years of hardship, patience and perseverance paid off on Friday when Hasib clinched the boys’ singles title at the 40th National Table Tennis Championships, defeating his close rival and BKSP teammate Nafis Iqbal 3-1. 

Hasib also won three more titles -- the boys’ team and mixed events in the U-19 section, and the mixed event in the senior section. He finished runners-up in both the u-19 boys’ doubles and men’s doubles, and secured third place in the men’s team event.

“I could not have come this far without the support of Child Heaven International,” Hasib told The Daily Star. “I spent nine years at the orphanage before joining BKSP, and they are still supporting me financially by paying my monthly fees.”

Hasib said the orphanage environment helped him cope with his loss. “I never felt the absence of my father because of the surroundings at the orphanage. I wish I could share my success with my father, but instead I share everything with my mother, who supports me a lot,” he said.

Winning his maiden national singles title was particularly special for Hasib, although he had previously become junior champion in a ranking tournament last year. “Becoming junior champion at the national championship is a different feeling. Every paddler dreams of winning the singles title,” he said. “I targeted it in 2023 but failed. This time, I was determined and trusted the hard work I put in.”

Nafis, the top-ranked junior paddler, has been Hasib’s long-time rival. The two have exchanged wins in ranking tournaments and frequently partner each other in doubles and team events for BKSP. “An opponent is always an opponent, even if he is your partner in other events,” Hasib said. “I stayed calm, focused on every point and it worked.”

Hasib has represented the junior national team since 2022. While he is yet to win an individual international medal, he has earned at least seven international medals -- including golds in team and doubles events -- at the South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championship and Regional Youth Championships between 2022 and 2024.

“Although I am still eligible for the junior category, my goal is to become national champion in the senior section,” Hasib said. “I also want to secure a place in the senior national team and contribute as much as I can.”