The SAFF champion Bangladesh women’s football team in a reception hosted today by the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in their honour, shared the story of their life with the head of the interim government.
The Chief Adviser accorded a warm reception to SAFF winning Bangladesh women’s football team at State Guest House Jamuna in the capital.
In the reception, the footballers raised different issues related to the game, infrastructure, accommodation and salary.
Prof Yunus carefully listened to the demand of the players and assured them of addressing those on a priority basis.
Bangladesh women football team became champion by defeating Nepal by 2-1 goals in the final match of the seventh SAFF Women’s Championship in Kathmandu on October 30 last.
Captain of the team Sabina Khatun 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,” she said.
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 in her early life and was raised by her mother.
Winger Krishna Rani Sarkar raised the issue of their accommodation in Dhaka, while midfielder Manika Chakma shared the difficulties she faced to become a footballer in Laksmichhari, one of the remotest upazilas 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 with European Champions League winners Barcelona.
The chief adviser asked every player to write down their individual hopes and aspiration, struggles, and demands in separate pieces of paper and share those with his office.
Youth and Sports Advisers Asif Mahmud, advisers Supradip Chakma, Bidhan Roy, and Nurjahan Begum, among others, were present.
Bangladesh women’s football team coach Peter Butler and team manager Mahmuda Akter also attended the function.
