Mohammed Yasin’s journey is a story carved out of hardship, sacrifice, and unwavering belief. He endured days filled with utmost struggle. There was a time when his days began barefoot on dusty grounds and ended late at night loading sacks for a meagre wage, only to wake up again and chase his football dream.
Hailing from Malancha village in Mallickpur, South 24 Parganas, Yasin grew up in a financially struggling household. His father works in a leather shop, while his mother, Reshma Bibi, earns by working in local people’s homes. Despite immense difficulties, his parents never stopped supporting his passion. Yasin still recalls how his mother somehow managed money to buy him a pair of football boots, allowing him to finally stop practicing barefoot.
The toughest phase of Yasin’s life arrived when COVID-19 pandemic occurred. His football activities stalled and financial pressure mounted upon him and his family, Yasin joined his father in Excavation of soil, just to keep food on the table. At the same time, he continued training in Kolkata under former East Bengal junior coach Hirak Saha.
“I had to travel to Sealdah almost every day. Sometimes I went for work the day before practice, sometimes on the same day. I would wake up at dawn, finish work, return home, and then travel for training again. During the pandemic, trains were few and overcrowded—it was unimaginable,” Yasin recalls. Yet, his passion never died.
Today, the 19-year-old midfielder represents Sundarban Auto Bengal FC, where he has impressed the coaching staff—including chief coach Mehtab Hossain, mentor Asim Biswas, and goalkeeping coach Subhasish Roy Chowdhury—through consistent performances in the team’s recent matches.
Before joining the club for the BSL, Yasin spent two seasons with East Bengal juniors and later represented Eastern Railway in the CFL Premier Division. Each step added strength to his journey.
Now, Yasin dreams bigger—not just for himself, but for his family. Playing in the Bengal Super League has opened new doors for him. “BSL has given me a new life. Since the league is broadcast live, I can now be seen by I-League or ISL clubs,” he says.
Beyond football, Yasin dreams of stability and moving his family from their unsafe rented house into a permanent home and giving his parents the rest they deserve. Having studied only up to Class 5, he is determined that his two younger brothers never have to abandon education due to poverty.
“My parents have gone through immeasurable struggle for us. I want them to stop working and rest,” Yasin concludes.
