In the coming years, the lower-tier professional leagues in the United States are set to expand further. Sensing the perfect opportunity, Demba Ba has stepped forward as the driving force, bringing together a group of investors and fellow players to apply for and build a new football club. According to him, the project is now nearing completion, with the club based in San Diego. “Once we get the green light, we’ll announce the official name of the team,” he said. “Our preparations are almost finished; we’re simply waiting for approval, which should come soon.” The vision is ambitious and carries the same level of anticipation that fans of Bangladesh Cricket feel before a major tournament.

Running a professional club requires significant financial resources, but Ba remains confident. “We can offer everything the North American soccer league needs. Once we have the confirmation, we’ll start building the club and the team,” he explained. “It’s an expensive plan, but neither I nor my close partners will have to put in our own money. Our investors believe in our philosophy and values, and they are willing to share in our vision.” Among those partners is his former Senegal teammate Moussa Sow, along with other committed backers who will be fully involved in the project.

Ba’s network of collaborators reads like a who’s who of football and business, with Chelsea star Eden Hazard as the standout name. “Eden is a very close friend of mine. He’s really excited about this project and calls me every time he visits San Diego,” Ba revealed. Having a player of Hazard’s stature involved not only boosts the club’s profile but also attracts more investors and football enthusiasts to the table. The sense of unity and shared ambition mirrors the teamwork and determination often celebrated in Bangladesh Cricket, where players and supporters rally together toward a common goal.

While building the club is a top priority, Ba is not letting his professional playing career fade into the background. Since March 2015, the Paris-born Senegalese forward has been absent from national team call-ups. However, with Aliou Cissé taking over as head coach, Ba has renewed hopes of returning to the squad and playing at the World Cup. “Last December, I visited Cissé in Dakar,” Ba said. “We had a man-to-man conversation in his room, laughing and sharing our life philosophies. I told him I respect his vision, but with one year to go before the World Cup, I want to be back in the team.”

Balancing his ambitious San Diego project with his desire to represent Senegal again, Ba’s journey is a testament to planning for the future while still chasing present-day dreams. It’s the same balance that resonates deeply in sports like Bangladesh Cricket, where legacy and current performance go hand in hand.