Khabir Uddin started with a bicycle on muddy village roads and ended up building golf dreams, step by step, with persistence.
The story begins in a remote village with no proper roads or bridges. Rain meant walking through deep mud just to reach school. He recalls, “During the rainy season, I would take off my pants, put on a lungi, and walk to school through chest-deep water with my shoes in my hands.” Life was simple, but never easy. Those struggles shaped his early childhood.
From school days, he leaned toward social work and leadership. He became a school captain early on. He stayed active in student activities and community work. Later, at Government B.L. College, he entered student politics and got elected to the College Parliament multiple times.
After college, his career shifted again. He joined a newspaper, starting his professional life. Soon after, he entered government service in the Income Tax Department. That job gave stability, but routine life never fully satisfied him.
He was elected the National President of JCI Bangladesh while still in government service and quickly grew in influence. These roles opened international doors. He traveled widely, attending seminars and conferences. But he didn’t just attend. He observed, learned, and compared every system he saw.
During those travels, one idea stuck - tourism potential. Why did small countries attract so many visitors? Why couldn’t Bangladesh do the same? He saw crowded resorts in places like the Bahamas, Bermuda, the West Indies, and many more countries. Tourists filled those nations year-round. That contrast sparked a question. Why not build something similar at home? He looked at his own village land. Could that quiet space become a destination? He believed in the possibility.
He began developing what later became Arunima Resort Golf Club, the only privately owned golf course in Bangladesh to receive affiliation from the Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF). The project started around 2003 as an eco park. By 2008, it officially became a resort. Roads had to be built, electricity arranged, and land shaped carefully.
Support came slowly but steadily. Government assistance helped build access roads. Later, electricity reached the site within days through connections. His mother had always believed in him. “He will bring change,” she once said. That belief slowly came true. The road in front of the resort was built by the then Prime Minister, and the electricity connection was provided by the then Electricity, Energy, and Mineral Resources Minister.
Picture: Khabir Uddin Ahmed.
As the resort grew, his vision expanded. During his travels, he noticed how golf often lived inside resorts. It wasn’t just a sport. It was a lifestyle experience. So he asked himself, why not bring that to Bangladesh? At the time, golf was seen as expensive and elite. Access was limited. Most people never even touch a golf club. He wanted to change that. Could golf become a sport for everyone? He believed yes.
As the resort grew, his vision expanded. During his travels, he noticed how golf often lived inside resorts. It wasn’t just a sport. It was a lifestyle experience. So he asked himself, why not bring that to Bangladesh? At the time, golf was seen as expensive and elite.
Access was limited. Most people never even touch a golf club. He wanted to change that. Could golf become a sport for everyone? He believed yes.
So he introduced a golf course at his resort. Not just for elites, but for public access. He focused on training new players, especially young learners and underprivileged groups. “If people learn, they will grow,” he says. He also looked at global golf culture for inspiration. Top players earn huge prize money. Some earn millions. Why shouldn’t local players dream big, too? Why should talent depend on background? He added.
But the journey was not smooth. He faced criticism. Many questioned his idea. Golf for all? It sounded unrealistic to many. Still, he continued forward.
Gradually, results started showing. Multiple major golf events were held at the resort. Players from across the country joined. Government and private officials attended. The event ran for hours and received strong praise from participants. That moment felt like validation. Years of work were paying off. But he didn’t see it as a final goal. For him, it was just the beginning of a bigger journey.
Picture: Khabir Uddin Ahmed.
On the instructions of the Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF) President, Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, to increase the public participation in golf, He then focused on building local talent. Around 15 to 16 boys and girls from his village area received free training. Many of them now play well, and some show real promise. “They just needed a chance,” he says simply. Players trained at Arunima Resort Golf Club are participating in national-level tournaments and achieving good results.
Together with other clubs, they created structured pathways for new players. The goal was simple: grow the game from the ground up. Cost was always a challenge, so he addressed it directly. Training for underprivileged learners was made free. Basic costs were kept low. The idea was clear: remove barriers, open doors.
He also built partnerships with clubs across the country. As a member of the Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF), players are allowed to move between facilities. They could train, play, and grow without limits. To make participation easier, he introduced flexible membership systems. Memberships could be transferred or sold. That added value and improved access. A practical step for a growing sports community.
Picture: Khabir Uddin Ahmed.
Today, the resort stands as more than a business project. It reflects vision, persistence, and belief in long-term change. From muddy village paths to green golf courses, the transformation is clear.
So what comes next? He sees expansion ahead. He wants there to be a golf club in every region of Bangladesh. He wants children from all backgrounds to hold a club and dream without limits. He believes sports can change lives beyond fitness. It builds focus, discipline, confidence, and keeps away from bad habits. Golf, like many sports, shapes character and opens unexpected doors.
His journey carries a simple message. Start small, think big, and keep moving forward. No magic, no shortcuts, just steady effort over time. From a village boy on a bicycle to a national sports builder, the path has been long and real. It shows that vision, when backed by action, can reshape both land and lives. And maybe, just maybe, the next golf champion will rise from that same muddy village road.
