Sylhet awaits to welcome home footballer Shamit Shome

Shamit Shome, a Canadian footballer of Bangladeshi origin, is a neighbor of English professional footballer Hamza Choudhury, who also has Bangladeshi roots. Both hail from the Sylhet region of Bangladesh. Hamza’s ancestral home is in Bahubal of Habiganj, while Shamit’s family is from Dakshin Uttar Sur village in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar. The two villages are just 40 minutes apart, and the upazilas are adjacent.

Following in the footsteps of Hamza Choudhury, Canadian footballer Shamit Shome is now set to visit Bangladesh. He is scheduled to arrive on June 3 and will spend a night at his ancestral home in the village. The news of his arrival has sparked great excitement in his hometown of Sreemangal. The village is being decorated in preparation, and extensive plans have been made to welcome him. A festive atmosphere is prevailing in the Shome family home in Sreemangal.

Shamit’s uncle, freedom fighter Mohan Lal Shome, shared: “I’ve spoken with Shamit, his father Manas Shome, and his mother Nandina Shome. Shamit is coming to Bangladesh alone, and he’s extremely excited about this visit. I once represented this country as a freedom fighter, and now my nephew is representing Canada’s national football team—there’s no greater pride. I’ll be going to Dhaka with my whole family, even at this old age, to watch him play.”
He added, “In the past, when Shamit visited, it was quiet and low-key. But this time, the whole Shome household is abuzz. People are coming in groups every day to ask when Shamit will arrive. At the market, everyone keeps asking me, ‘Grandpa, any news about Shamit?’ It feels amazing. Our entire family is eagerly waiting for him.”

Mohan Lal also noted that Shamit last visited Bangladesh in 2022 and stayed for 15 days. “But things are different now. Shamit is no longer just our family member—he belongs to the whole country. So this time, he might not be able to stay for long,” he said.

Shamit’s paternal aunt (pisi), Padma Shome, said, “Shamit has one sister, Ispita Shome, who is a doctor, while he is an engineer by profession. Despite playing for Canada’s national football team, he leads a very simple life. You wouldn’t think he’s a star athlete. He lives like a true Bengali—eating rice and fish. We’ve watched his games in Canada, and this time we’ll see him play in Dhaka.”
She added, “He probably inherited his football skills from my father, Manik Shome, who was one of Sylhet’s best players and a teacher. When the Canadian Football Federation asked him where he learned to play, he said, ‘From my grandfather when I was a child.’”

Shamit’s aunt (jethima), Shukla Shome, shared, “As always, deshi chicken will be on his food list—it’s his favorite. I’ll also make lentils, rice, and traditional pithas for him. Different TV channels have been visiting us daily, and it makes me so happy. Our whole Shome family will accompany him to Dhaka.”

Shamit’s cousin Saurav Prasad Shome said, “There’s a festive vibe in our area as we prepare to welcome bhaiya (brother). We’re updating him daily about how much love and excitement people in Bangladesh are showing for him.”