Mahtab Uddin
Zidan Miah is a British Bangladeshi footballer who began to play at the age of seven. Doing well in different youth teams, now the thirteen year boy is chasing after his dream of playing professional football in the USA.
He was born on March 7, 2001 in a Bangladeshi family in London. His father Sufian Miah presented him a football when he met his newborn son for the very first time in the hospital. Surely the little boy liked the first gift of his life very much. Did the father realise that at the time?
Zidan, being a very big fan of David Beckham began dreaming of playing football and in 2008, started playing at the David Beckham Academy in the UK along with David's nephew Freddie. He received training there for two years.
Afterwards, he joined Dulwich Hamlet FC, played for Soccer Elite FA and Crystal Palace and was trained in Pro Touch Soccer Academy and Arsenal Development Academy. Beside England and Wales, he played in many foreign countries like, Denmark, Spain, Hong Kong and Thailand. However he got the most essential support from his family during these trips.
The young footballer went to the USA to be a professional footballer in December 2012 at the age of eleven. There, he played for Erie FC and Columbus Crew under-14 team.
At present, he is on a scholarship with the Michael Johnson Performance Centre in Texas, Dallas and is playing for FC Dallas Youth Team as well. As a footballer, Zidan's favourite position is left wing or central attacking mid-field.
Bryan McCall, the director of Michael Johnson Performance Training Centre was very pleased with Zidan's progress. According to him, Zidan has unbelievable potentials and determination to achieve the goal.
"When you look at his eyes, you will see that the fire burning in his eyes and you know that he wants it bad," said Bryan.
The young boy got an outgoing personality that is highly important to be a successful sports person. His coach marked his 'easygoing attitude towards older players' as a sign of a strong personality.
Determination to do well is very important in any sector especially in sports. That's what Zidan has got in him. Earlier, he received a serious injury in his foot and thankfully recovered from it.
Zidan's favourite players are Christiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Zinedene Zidane. Also he is a fan of Manchester United.
Beside football he likes swimming and wishes to travel around the world to experience different cultures.
To develop one's child as a professional player, there is no alternative but sacrifice by the player himself and the family. Zidan also receives strong family love and support.
Sufian said that his wife Shipa Miah along with younger daughter went to the USA to look after Zidan while he and elder daughter stay in England.
"It's a huge sacrifice as half of my family is in the USA and the rest of us are in the UK. My parents and relatives stay in England. So it is not that easy," said Sufian. Zidan's father suggested those teenagers who are wishing to be a footballer in future, will have to have a dream and the determination to fulfil it.
Football crazes in Bangladesh who follow Zidan on his Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube are frequently asking Zidan to come and play in Bangladesh. At that point, Sufian says that "Zidan's training and development is currently taking place in the USA and he is chasing his dream to be a professional football player one day, but he still has long way to go. When everything is done, then the footballer himself will consider about where he will play as a professional."