From football field to cabinet: The rise of Captain Aminul

Once the trusted goalkeeper who kept opposition strikers at bay, Aminul Haque has now become the State Minister for Youth and Sports under the technocrat quota, a journey that reflects his talent, determination, and enduring commitment to Bangladesh's sporting legacy.

Technocrats are appointed to the cabinet based on their expertise rather than through election.

After years of speculation and political turns, the former national team captain has transitioned from the football field to the cabinet, following in the footsteps of figures like Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Arif Khan Joy, who also moved from sports to politics.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a retired army officer, served multiple terms as a member of parliament, including from 1986 to 2006 representing Bhola‑3, and also held ministerial roles such as minister of water resources and minister of commerce during the Khaleda Zia government.

Meanwhile, Arif Khan Joy, a former national footballer, was elected as a member of parliament from Netrokona‑2 in 2014 and served as deputy minister of youth and sports from 2014 to 2019.

Born in Bhola and raised in Mirpur, Dhaka, Aminul's passion for football was sparked by his elder brother, Moinul Haque.

As a teenager, the first Tk150 he earned from playing locally, handed to his mother, convinced him he was destined for greater achievements.

He began at MSPC City Club in the Pioneer League, where coaches quickly recognised his talent. In his first nine matches, he did not concede a single goal.

He later joined Mohammedan Sporting Club, initially as the third-choice goalkeeper, before establishing himself as the first-choice at Farashganj SC in the 1996 Premier League under coach Pran Govinda Kundra.

In his debut season, Farashganj finished sixth, avoiding relegation, while Aminul repeatedly frustrated the country's top strikers and earned recognition from leading clubs.

Aminul debuted for the national team in a friendly against Qatar in 1998 and played until 2011, rarely missing a match except due to injury.

He also became a key figure at Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra from 1997 to 2013, leading the team to numerous trophies, including the 2009 Super Cup, where he earned the "Best Goalkeeper" award.

Some of his most memorable moments include the 2003 SAFF Championship final, where his decisive save in a tiebreaker secured Bangladesh's victory and the 2010 South Asian Games, where under his captaincy, the U-23 team won gold without conceding a goal.

He also played a crucial role in Bangladesh's 2001 World Cup qualifiers in Dammam, earning praise for his resilience against strong teams.

A protégé of the late Austrian coach George Kotan, Aminul was once considered capable of playing in Europe and drew interest from Qatar's Al Hilal Club.

His Dhaka club career included dramatic episodes, including registration disputes between Abahani and Muktijoddha, which once led to him being hidden for 12 days.

In 2003, following allegations of abduction by Abahani, he resurfaced at Muktijoddha's central office, claiming he had escaped captivity by jumping from a second-floor balcony.