SPORTS REPORTER

Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome has initiated the procedure to play for Bangladesh, Bangladesh Football Federation’s (BFF) vice-president Fahad Karim confirmed on Friday, marking a significant development in BFF’s ongoing efforts to attract diaspora talent after roping in Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury recently.

The 27-year-old, currently a regular for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, was previously capped twice in friendlies for the Canada senior team in 2020.

Born in Alberta to Bangladeshi parents from Sylhet, Shome has represented Canada at U-20 and U-21 levels and carved out a steady club career after starting professionally with FC Edmonton in 2016.

Despite initial hesitation, Shome has now expressed a clear desire to represent Bangladesh, inspired in part by the recent switch of Hamza – who had, likewise, played for England’s youth team.

“After news came out in local media in the morning, I had texted him to enquire about his desire. He replied to me, saying he is willing to play for Bangladesh,” Karim told reporters yesterday afternoon. “We are supposed to have a meeting with over zoom where we will discuss everything.”

The development comes two weeks after Shomit had asked for two weeks to decide on the issue on insistence from the BFF.

“He has a Canadian passport, so we are trying to form his Bangladeshi passport. His parents have not renewed their Bangladeshi passport since 1993, so everyone’s passport has to be worked on,” said Shamit’s agent Amit Hassan, adding that the birth certificates of the player and his parents need to be made prior to the passport as well.

“The documents will be forwarded to FIFA afterwards. Hopefully the birth certificate will be finalised by Sunday at the earliest next week.

“Then he will visit the Canadian embassy and if everything works out well, he’ll be joining the [Bangladesh] team in June,” he informed further.

“If completed in time -- although it appears to be unlikely, given the procedure -- Shome could feature in Bangladesh’s AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign in their key fixture against Singapore in June 10 at National Stadium in Dhaka, providing a significant boost to the midfield ranks.” Amit added.