Hamza raises over £100,000 to support injured children in Gaza

Bangladesh national team midfielder Hamza Choudhury has raised more than £100,000 (approximately Tk 16.5 million) to support medical treatment for injured children in war-torn Gaza, highlighting his humanitarian efforts off the pitch.

The Sheffield United midfielder raised the funds at a charity event organised in collaboration with Nujum Sports. In an emotional message on social media, Hamza said the entire amount would be used to provide medical assistance to children in Gaza.

The initiative aims to help injured children evacuate to safe locations and access advanced medical treatment. Assistance will be delivered through the humanitarian organisation Children Not Numbers.

Hamza expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported the initiative and contributed to the fundraising effort. Reflecting on the suffering endured by people in Gaza, he acknowledged that the assistance might seem small compared with the scale of their hardship.

However, he expressed hope that even a modest contribution could help bring about meaningful change. He also called for prayers for the freedom of Palestinians and for peace.

The fundraising campaign has drawn attention to Hamza's humanitarian work beyond football, where he represents Bangladesh on the international stage.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the Bangladesh national team's next assignment, the SAFF Championship, which is scheduled to begin in Dhaka on November 5. Head coach Thomas Dooley is overseeing training sessions with a 30-member preliminary squad at the National Stadium.

Bangladesh will face Bhutan on the opening day of the tournament. However, the team will be without Hamza and England-based Farhan Ali Wahid for the opening match because of their club commitments.

Both players are expected to join the national squad in Dhaka on November 9, when the FIFA international window begins.