CA accords reception to SAFF winning women’s team, asks for written demands

During a reception ceremony at the State Guest House Jamuna in the morning today, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus asked the players of the Bangladesh team that won the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship in Nepal last week to submit a list of their demands in writing, assuring them of working on those in the coming days.

The Chief Adviser carefully listened to the demands of the victorious players and promised to address them on a priority basis as he accorded a reception to the heroes following their 2-1 win over Nepal in the final of the seventh SAFF Women’s Championship in Kathmandu on October 30.

“I congratulate you on behalf of the whole nation on achieving this success. The nation is grateful to you. The people of our country want success. You have brought us the success,” the Chief Adviser told the players in his opening remarks, quoted a press release from the CA Press Wing.

Captain Sabina Khatun thanked the Chief Adviser for hosting them and said that they felt honoured to be able to join the reception.

“We have come to this stage by overcoming a lot of barriers. It is not just the women’s football team, but women in general in Bangladesh face many struggles,” she said.

Sabina, who started her football career in 2009, also recalled the contribution of her previous generation for showing the courage of taking football as their passion.

Sabina said that many of them come from a humble background and need to support their families. “Our salaries do not allow us to give much support, as we do not get much,” said Sabina.

The prolific striker became emotional while she was describing the struggles of some of her teammates, such as Maria Manda.

Maria from the famous Kalsindur village in Mymensingh, which provided six players to the SAFF-winning team, lost her father early and was raised by her mother.

Winger Krishna Rani Sarkar raised the issue of their accommodation in Dhaka, while midfielder Monika Chakma shared the difficulties she faced to become a footballer in Laksmichhari, one of the remotest upazillas of hilly Khagrachhari district.

Midfielder Shopna Rani described the poor infrastructure of her native Ranshonkail village in Dinajpur district.

Winger Krishna requested the Chief Adviser to arrange a friendly match for them outside Asia, preferably against European Champions League winners Barcelona.

The Chief Adviser asked every player to write down their individual hopes and aspirations, struggles, and demands in separate pieces of paper and share those with his office.

“Do not hesitate to write whatever you wish. We will try to fulfil your demands. If anything can be addressed now, we will do it now,” Professor Yunus said.

“Sir [Chief Adviser] listened very intently about the issues women footballers face and asked them to submit details of their demands in writing,” Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud, who was also present at the reception ceremony, told reporters afterwards.

“We will also look into the demands once we get it in writing from the players,” Asif added.

All 23 footballers of the squad, team manager Mahmuda Ananya, and head coach Peter Butler arrived for the reception ceremony at around 10:30 AM today.

The Chief Adviser and the Youth and Sports Adviser had breakfast with all the players and their coaches.

Professor Muhammad Yunus also received signed jerseys and footballs from the girls.

Meanwhile, Asif also mentioned that they would discuss the girls’ unpaid salaries with the newly-elected Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) members and come up with a solution.

“As far as I know, two months’ salary [of the players] are due. Earlier, there was a different committee of Kazi Salahuddin at the BFF. Now, there’s a new committee and we will talk to them and resolve the matter so that even in the future no such occurrences take place.”

Tabith Awal was elected as the new president in the recent BFF elections.