Aptar Husain: Rising from the Refugee Camp to Champion Rohingya Dreams on the Football Field

Mohammed Zonaid

In a village nestled within Maungdaw Township, a young boy watched his neighbors playing football. The game, with its swift kicks and bursts of cheering, inspired him to dream. Today, that boy, now 24-year-old Aptar Husain, has transformed that inspiration into his life’s passion, uniting his community in the Kutupalong Lambashiya refugee camp through football.

Beginnings on the Field

Aptar’s journey began simply, with local village games and neighborhood teams. By 2016, he was representing his village in a tournament organized by the village leader, Nay May, where he quickly gained recognition. He soon joined his school’s team, securing a first-place finish and solidifying his reputation as a natural player. In 2017, the escalating violence against Rohingyas forced Aptar and his family to flee Myanmar. They resettled in Camp-1E, Kutupalong, where Aptar struggled to adapt but ultimately found solace in familiar surroundings: a football field.

Growing Recognition

Starting from 2018, he participated in various matches despite challenging conditions, quickly establishing his reputation as one of the camp’s finest players. “At first, I would earn just 500 TK, or sometimes even 1000 TK, for playing,” Aptar shared, but payments were often inconsistent. “Sometimes, they promised 1000 TK but gave only 500 TK after the match, and other times, they wouldn’t pay at all.”

With dedication and rising popularity, he can now command a fee of 5000 TK per match, with 2000 TK required upfront. As word spread, people within the camp began to recognize him, not just for his skills but for his resilience and charisma.

Building a Football Community in the Camp

Aptar’s achievements include playing as the main center back for the Shining Star Team, his team in the camp, which consists of 28 players. Alongside his ARFF (Arkan Rohingya Football Federation) teammates, he has won eight cups in Bangladesh, mostly within the camp. His role as captain of the ARFF team has brought an added layer of responsibility. Though they aspire to play matches outside the camp, restrictions remain stringent, limiting their exposure to larger tournaments.

Football, however, is more than a game to Aptar and his team—it’s their livelihood and community. The team self-funds with contributions, ranging from 5000 to 10000 TK per player, pooled together by their coach, who manages their resources. Match earnings support the team, with local field owners rewarding them for drawing in ticket sales.

Fitness and the Dream of National Representation

Beyond football, Aptar works with Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) in nutrition and has dedicated himself to a fitness routine, spending the past 14 months pursuing his dream of physical conditioning. “Fitness was a dream of mine, and it’s now a reality,” he shares. For him, football is a source of joy, income, fitness, and a sense of community.

Despite his achievements, Aptar has never received formal training. “In 2018, I trained for a few days with a coach who visited from Chittagong, but since then, I’ve learned mostly by watching on my phone or on TV.” He dreams of more extensive training facilities and opportunities for himself and his team. “We need a proper training center, a gym, and better facilities,” he appeals. Aptar’s idols include Cristiano Ronaldo, whose kindness, dedication to fitness, and affinity for the Muslim community resonate deeply with him.

Football as a Path to Unity and Growth

Recently, the ARFF team participated in a large-scale football tournament supported by Turkey, the RRRC, UNHCR, and other NGOs. The tournament, with enhanced security and impressive management, was a testament to the power of sports in uniting communities. Aptar passionately advocates for more such events, emphasizing how sports provide structure and an alternative to negative paths, especially within refugee settings. “Sports keep us fit, give us unity, bring entertainment, and most importantly, steer us away from drugs and other harmful activities,” he says.

A Hope for the Future

With dreams of representing Myanmar on the national stage, Aptar’s aspirations go beyond personal achievement. He hopes to symbolize the strength and resilience of his community, urging the Myanmar Football Federation, FIFA, and other international organizations to give Rohingya athletes the platform they deserve. His story is not only a tale of one player’s rise but also a call for the Rohingya to be recognized in the world of sports.

Aptar Husain’s journey from a village in Maungdaw to a camp in Kutupalong encapsulates the hope, struggles, and resilience of the Rohingya people. With each goal he scores and every step he takes on the field, he inches closer to his dream: to be a beacon of pride for his people, a leader on and off the field, and a symbol of what determination and unity can achieve even in the face of adversity.