Ryan dreams to be cricketer despite hardship

Barishal Correspondent :

In the absence of his missing father, 14-year-old Ryan spends his days in a rented, dilapidated house in the Kaunia Housing area of Barishal city with his mother, younger sister, and grandmother.

Despite the hardship, Ryan dreams of becoming a cricketer. Every day, he walks 10 kilometres from home to the Barishal Kabi Jibanananda Das Stadium for practice and back again.
Whether that dream can be fulfilled with torn sneakers, a broken bat, and a half-empty stomach remains uncertain, said cricket coach Al Mahmud Sujan.

Ryan Khan, a ninth-grade student at Sher-e-Bangla Secondary School in Barishal, is currently undergoing basic coaching under the Barishal District Sports Association in the under-16 group, where he has been performing well.

Upon learning of Ryan’s perseverance, Barishal Deputy Commissioner Delwar Hossain presented him with a bicycle on Monday, 6 October 2025. The DC also instructed the District Sports Officer to provide Ryan with cricket equipment and training materials.

Among those present at the event at the Barishal DC office were Assistant Director of Social Services Sazzad Parvez, cricket coach Ejaz Mahmud Sujan, and Barishal Reporters Unity President Khalid Saifullah.
Ryan’s mother, Manju Begum, supports the family by working as a seamstress, sewing clothes for others.
His father, Md. Khokon, previously drove a CNG auto-rickshaw in Dhaka, but after his vehicle was stolen a few years ago, he went missing, and the family has had no contact with him since.
In his father’s absence, Ryan’s mother struggles to keep the family afloat. Most days, they can barely afford two meals.
According to Ryan’s teammate, Adib Saifullah, there is no one to bear the cost of his younger sister’s education, Ryan’s cricket gear, or the family’s daily expenses.
Ryan walks five kilometres to the stadium early every morning and returns home on foot in the evening often with an empty pocket. Sometimes, he brings food wrapped in polythene, but it often spoils in the heat. Many days, he spends hours hungry or survives on small snacks shared by his friends.
After practising for four to eight hours each day, Ryan walks back home exhausted but hopeful.
Ryan said, “At the moment, I can’t even afford a guidebook for my class nine studies. I don’t have a good bat for practice either. My sneakers are in terrible condition my toes stick out. Now, I have no choice but to practise barefoot.”
Cricket coach Ejaz Al Mahmud Sujan said, “If Allah wills, all-rounder Ryan may one day have the chance to play for the national team. Walking to and from the stadium every day and then practising for hours is extremely difficult for him. Yet, Ryan continues to move forward quietly, determined to fulfil his dream of becoming a good cricketer despite all the challenges.”