The Bangladesh U-21 hockey team returned home from India on Thursday after an inspiring maiden appearance at the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, with head coach Siegfried Aikman urging authorities to build on the momentum to further the sport in the country.

Despite limited resources, the junior side proved on the world stage that they can compete when given the right environment. Bangladesh delivered impressive performances against several superior opponents to finish 17th -- top among the bottom eight -- and were awarded the Challenger Trophy, introduced for the first time in the tournament.

Their finish ahead of Austria, Korea, China, Egypt, and Canada, along with brave contests against Australia and France, indicated that the gap is not insurmountable.

Aikman emphasised that this progress should be used as a foundation for greater success in the coming days.

"If you are positive, sponsors come, government supports, then things happen. If that doesn't happen in three weeks or one month, it's gone. You have the momentum now in Bangladesh, so you should not let it go," he said.

The question now is whether the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) can act on Aikman's requests. If it can, Bangladesh hockey may hope to revive its glory days.