08/10/2026
FROM HABIGANJ TO THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
Samiya Rahman: A Bangladeshi Heritage Player Representing Great Britain Women’s National Baseball Team
An Exclusive Interview with Samiya Rahman
By Talha Yubaer , General Secretary, Bangladesh Baseball-Softball Association (BBSA)
A Journey Connecting Bangladesh and Great Britain Through Baseball
From her family roots in Nabiganj, Habiganj, to representing the Great Britain Women’s National Baseball Team at the international level, Samiya Rahman’s journey is a remarkable story of heritage, opportunity, dedication and sporting ambition.
A 29-year-old British baseball player of Bangladeshi heritage, Samiya discovered baseball in 2020 through a university taster session. Within only a few years, that first introduction to the sport developed into an international career, including appearances for Great Britain at the European Championship and World Cup qualifiers.
Today, Samiya is not only proud of her British sporting journey but is equally proud of her Bangladeshi roots and she hopes to contribute to the development of women’s baseball in Bangladesh in the future.
BBSA: Samiya, could you introduce yourself and tell us about your family’s connection to Bangladesh?
Samiya Rahman: My name is Samiya Rahman, I am 29 years old and currently live in the United Kingdom.
My connection to Bangladesh comes through my grandparents. Both my grandfather and grandmother were born in Bangladesh, which was known as East Pakistan at the time, before Bangladesh gained independence in 1971.
My mother was born in the UK, as were my siblings and I. However, I have always been very proud of my Bangladeshi heritage and my family’s connection to the country.
It is an important part of my identity, and I am incredibly proud of my roots.
Roots in Habiganj: A Family Connection to Nabiganj
BBSA: When and how did you first discover baseball and softball?
Samiya Rahman: I was introduced to baseball and softball in 2020, when my university organised a taster session. I decided to attend and give it a try, without knowing where that one decision would eventually take me.
That first experience opened many doors. I became involved in helping establish the university baseball club, which now competes in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league, and eventually I progressed to representing Great Britain at international level.
Before baseball, I had a strong cricketing background. I had played cricket from a young age, representing local teams and my county, Lancashire.
Coming from cricket gave me a strong foundation in hitting, throwing, fielding and competitive sport. Those skills helped me adapt to baseball.
I began my baseball journey at the University of Central Lancashire, and the sport has taken me much further than I ever imagined. Representing Great Britain on the World Stage
BBSA: What position do you play, and which team do you currently represent?
Samiya Rahman: I play in the outfield and currently play for Manchester Baseball Club.
I have also had the honour of representing the Great Britain Women’s National Baseball Team.
Most recently, I travelled to Taiwan with the Great Britain Women’s Team for the World Cup qualifiers.
This followed our success in winning the European Championship, which gave us the opportunity to compete in the World Cup qualifiers against national teams including Japan, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines and Cuba.
Representing Great Britain at international level has been an incredible experience and something I am extremely proud of.
It is something I never imagined would happen when I first attended that university taster session in 2020.
I have been incredibly fortunate to have the support of my family, friends, teammates and coaches throughout my journey.
BBSA: What is your view on the growth and future potential of baseball and softball in Bangladesh?
Samiya Rahman:I believe there is huge potential for baseball and softball to grow in Bangladesh.
Seeing the Bangladesh Women’s Team competing internationally is an incredibly positive development. It shows that there is already a foundation for women’s baseball to continue developing.
With more opportunities for young people to get involved, greater access to quality coaching and facilities, and increased exposure to international competition, Bangladesh can continue to strengthen its baseball and softball programmes.
I would particularly love to see more young girls encouraged to take up baseball.
Having role models and opportunities to compete internationally can make a tremendous difference and inspire the next generation.
BBSA: As a player of Bangladeshi heritage, would you like to represent the Bangladesh National Team if given the opportunity?
Samiya Rahman: Absolutely. It would be an incredible honour to represent Bangladesh and the country of my heritage.
I am extremely proud to represent Great Britain. Being part of the Great Britain Women’s National Team has been one of the proudest achievements of my sporting career.
At the same time, because of my family roots, having the opportunity to represent Bangladesh would allow me to celebrate another very important part of who I am.
I believe these two parts of my identity can exist alongside each other.
I am proud of my sporting journey with Great Britain, while also being deeply proud of my Bangladeshi heritage.
BBSA: You recently saw the Bangladesh Women’s Baseball Team participating in Malaysia. What was your reaction?
Samiya Rahman: It was an amazing feeling of pride to see the Bangladesh Women’s Baseball Team participating in Malaysia.
As someone of Bangladeshi heritage and also a female international baseball player, it was particularly special to see Bangladeshi women competing on the international stage.
I had recently returned from Taiwan, where I represented the Great Britain Women’s National Team in the World Cup qualifiers.
Having experienced international competition myself, I understand the commitment, preparation, teamwork and determination required to represent your country.
That made seeing the Bangladesh Women’s Team participate in Malaysia even more meaningful.
I sincerely hope their participation in Malaysia is the beginning of many more international opportunities for Bangladeshi women in baseball.
BBSA: Would you like to contribute to the development of the Bangladesh Women’s Team in the future?
Samiya Rahman: I would definitely love to be involved in the development of the Bangladesh Women’s Team in the future.
I would be very interested in sharing my experience of international baseball and supporting women’s baseball in Bangladesh in any way I can.
This could include:
Coaching and training support
Mentoring young players
Sharing international playing experience
Player development
Potentially representing Bangladesh
Supporting the team’s international development
I would be very open to such opportunities.
Samiya also believes that modern communication and digital media can play an important role in developing women’s baseball.
Samiya Rahman: Alongside my playing career, I also work in graphic design within sport, which I believe could provide another way for me to contribute.
I currently manage my university baseball team’s social media page, and through this experience I have seen first-hand how important strong social media, visual communication and storytelling can be in promoting a team and growing interest in a sport.
I would encourage the Bangladesh Women’s Team to make greater use of:
Player features • Match-day graphics • Photography • Videos • Interviews • Social-media campaigns
Telling the stories of the players and showcasing their achievements is particularly important in women’s sport.
Greater visibility can inspire young girls to become involved in baseball while also giving current players the recognition they deserve.
BBSA: What would you like to see in terms of international connections for Bangladeshi baseball?
Samiya Rahman: I would love to see stronger connections between Bangladeshi baseball and the wider international baseball community.
My own journey is an example of how quickly opportunities can develop when someone is simply given the chance to get involved.
I attended a university taster session in 2020, and within a few years I progressed to representing Great Britain at the European Championship and World Cup qualifiers.
It has shown me how important access, opportunity, coaching, mentorship and international exposure can be.
I believe international exchanges, coaching opportunities, player development programmes, training camps and competitive matches could help Bangladeshi players gain valuable experience and accelerate the development of the sport.
BBSA: Finally, what message would you like to give to young Bangladeshi girls who are interested in baseball?
Samiya Rahman: I would simply say:
“Give it a chance. Believe in yourself and do not be afraid to try something new.”
My own journey started with a university taster session in 2020. At that time, I could never have imagined that baseball would take me to international competitions and allow me to represent Great Britain.
If my experience can inspire even one young Bangladeshi girl to pick up a baseball and believe that she can represent her country one day, that would mean a great deal to me.
I am proud of my British upbringing, proud of my sporting journey, and equally proud of my Bangladeshi heritage.
I would love to use everything I have learned through baseball and my career in sport to support the Bangladesh Women’s Team, helping the programme grow both on and off the field.
I hope more girls in Bangladesh get the opportunity to discover baseball, develop their talents and dream of representing Bangladesh on the international stage.
Interviewed by:
Talha Yubaer
General Secretary
https://baseballsoftball.org.bd/from-habiganj-to-the-international-stage/
