Dr Yunus accords reception to SAFF Women’s Champions

Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus has accorded reception to the SAFF-winning Bangladesh women’s football team.

"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," Dr Yunus told the players in his opening remarks at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday (November 2).

Tigresses beat Nepal 2-1 in the final on October 30 at Kathmandu’s Dashrath Rangasala Stadium.

The footballers shared their dreams and the daily struggles when they met the chief adviser and he listened to their demands and promised to address them on a priority basis.

Captain Sabina Khatun thanked Dr Yunus for hosting them and said 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 emotion-choked 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 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.

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 on 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," Dr Yunus said.

Advisers Asif Mahmud, Supradip Chakma, Bidhan Roy, and Nurjahan Begum, among others, were present.

Coach Peter Butler and manager Mahmuda Akter also attended the function.