CHATTOGRAM, Jan 19, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh wicket-keeper batter Nurul Hasan Sohan laid emphasize on building a new country by upholding the spirit of the July uprising.

Sohan is the first elite cricketer to actively join the mass uprising last year which eventually topped autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina from the power to pave the platform of building a discrimination free country.

He also urged the people to be aware of not giving any vested quarter to ruin what they gained from the movement.

“Student leads but people from walk all of life involved in this movement.

 I think there is still some people who would try to ruin the success we gained. So people of all walk of life should be aware to resist those vested quarters,” Sohan said while talking to BSS.

“If they can take the advantage, the country will return to the previous situation. So I think everyone should be strict.

 Everyone should help the government to resist those people. Building a new country is not easier one, it’s a long process. So the general people should think about deeply and from their position, they should assist government in building a new country.”

According to Sohan, government tried its best to do something for the people who sacrificed their lives in the movement and got injured.

“I am sure the government will do everything possible for the people who sacrificed to oust an autocratic ruling from the country.

 As I said earlier, you have to give time to materialize all those issues. I think they are doing their best and they will keep doing it.”

Sohan said that he involved in the July mass uprising by responding his inner feelings.

“When the movement started I was in Australia for my surgery.

“As I was the contracted player of the BCB, commenting on this issue was very tough but to be honest I felt restless, seeing the carnage and the atrocity,” Sohan said.
 
“I am not the supporter of any particular party but as a human being my inner feelings said I should step up.

I was thinking about what would happen if I posted something on this issue. I was thinking about my place in the national team.

There were many instances that I was discarded without any reason. But I am not such a character who could control himself after seeing those issues.”

Sohan revealed he returned to country on August 2 and joined actively with the students of the North South Students in city’s Bashundhara area, a place where he resides.

“After returning home, I joined with NSU students in Bashundhara since I reside there. After joining with them, it seemed to me that I should talk, at least for my satisfaction. So I talked about it, I gave post on this issue,” Sohan said.

‘The thing is that I felt satisfaction that was enough but I was thinking about the consequences. If the August 5 didn’t happen, I don’t know what I would have faced.

But what was important to me that whether I can follow my heart. I need that freedom to express myself.

 Even if such thing happens in future, I will again stand up to protest. I am not involved in any politics. But as a human being if I feel that it is bad, I will protest.”

As a player, he wants Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) to get a good shape, so that it can run well consistently to make it a brand.

Sohan is leading Rangpur Riders, a team owned by country’s leading corporate house Bashundhara Group, in the BPL. Some days ago, Rangpur won the Global Super League (GSL) trophy in his captaincy and also made them a force to win the BPL title.

 Rangpur so far won all eight matches in the tournament.

 “Knowing that the BPL will be held every year, the franchises had already contacted with the foreign players.

 So when the BPL was not held, the franchises couldn’t keep their commitment with the foreign players and other stakeholders. So the trust issues were broken. That was a setback to the BPL.

There was breakdown. The players tried their best always but when the franchises were changed repeatedly, it didn’t give you the good outcome,” he said, adding that a stable contract with the BPL franchise should be there so that they can run the team well consistently.”

“If a franchise knows that he would have to run the team for longer time, he can devise a plan.

 If a player knows that he will play in this team for the coming three to four years, he will feel for this team.”

This year, the BCB made a commitment to contract with the franchise for a longer time, a thing Sohan praised.

“This is a long process. You have to start from the scratch. The good thing is that the process started and I think we’ll get a good outcome of it in future.”