Once the unyielding guardian of Bangladesh’s football goalposts, Aminul Haque now assumes the nation’s highest sporting office. After months of speculation and navigating political intricacies, the former national team captain has been appointed as State Minister for Youth and Sports under the technocrat quota. While the transition from the pitch to the cabinet is rare, it is not unprecedented in Bangladesh; previous examples include Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Arif Khan Joy, both of whom traded boots for ministerial portfolios.
Born in Bhola, Aminul grew up in Mirpur, Dhaka. His elder brother, Moinul Haque, was also a footballer and introduced him to the game. Aminul’s first earnings as a teenager—a modest 150 taka from a local match—became a symbolic milestone, confirming his determination to pursue football professionally. His formative years at MSPC City Club in the Pioneer League quickly revealed his extraordinary talent to coaches. Remarkably, in the 1990s Pioneer League, Aminul conceded no goals in his first nine matches.
Following his impressive performances, he received offers from Dhaka’s First Division clubs. Though East End Club initially showed interest, support from his brother and Mohammedan Sporting’s defender Imtiaz Sultan Jony facilitated Aminul’s move to Mohammedan SC, where he initially served as third-choice goalkeeper behind veteran Shaheed Hasan Khan. In 1996, Aminul joined Farashganj SC in the Premier League under coach Pran Govind Kundu, immediately establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. His debut season saw Farashganj avoid relegation, and his resilient performances against Abahani and Mohammedan earned him early recognition and rewards.
| Year | Club / Team | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Farashganj SC | Premier League – 6th place; undefeated vs Abahani & Mohammedan |
| 1997–2013 | Muktijoddha Sangsad KC | Multiple trophies; cornerstone goalkeeper |
| 2009 | Mohammedan SC | Super Cup champion; awarded Best Goalkeeper |
| 2010 | Bangladesh U-23 | South Asian Games gold; tournament unbeaten |
Aminul made his national team debut in 1998 in a friendly against Qatar and remained a regular until 2011, rarely sidelined due to injury. He was instrumental in Bangladesh’s 2003 SAFF Championship victory, notably saving a decisive penalty against the Maldives in the final, a moment that immortalised him as a national hero. His leadership at the 2010 South Asian Games guided the Bangladesh U-23 side to a gold medal, maintaining a clean sheet throughout. Internationally, his resilience against stronger teams, including Saudi Arabia and Vietnam during World Cup qualifiers, earned widespread admiration.
Aminul’s club career in Dhaka also included dramatic episodes, such as the 2003 confrontation between Abahani and Muktijoddha over his contract, during which he was hidden for 12 days before reappearing safely. After retiring from football, he dedicated himself to mainstream politics as an active member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), enduring periods of political harassment and imprisonment.
Despite a narrow defeat in the 13th parliamentary elections from Dhaka-16, his sporting excellence and political commitment were recognised by the new government, which appointed him State Minister for Youth and Sports. Just as he never let a ball cross his goal line, fans now expect Aminul to safeguard Bangladesh’s sporting arena with the same integrity.