The indomitable girls of Bangladesh women's football team have shared their stories behind the Saff championship at the 10th edition of Dhaka Lit Fest on Friday.
The footballers of the Bangladesh women's national football team, who won the 2022 South Asian Football Federation championship, participated in the second day of the fest in a session titled “We are the Champions.”
Bangladesh women's national football team member Sabina Khatun, Maria Manda, Ritu Porna Chakma, Rupna Chakma, Akhi Khatun, Sri Moti Krishna Rani Sarkar, Etie Rani Mandal, Sohag Kisku attended the session along with coach Golam Rabbani, assistant coach Mahmuda Akhter and member of executive committee and Fifa Council member Mahfuza AKhter Kiron.
Vice President of the Bangladesh Football Federation Kazi Nabil Ahmed and General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag were also present to encourage them.
Bangladesh won their maiden Saff Women's Football Championship by beating hosts Nepal 3-1 in the final in Kathmandu on September 19, 2022.
The audience in the fest enjoyed the whole time of the session hearing the girls' sweet and sour story of struggles so far.
In the beginning, the coach of the national team, Golam Rabbani, thanked the organizers of the Dhaka Lit Fest and told the story behind the victory.
“The coach plays a role. But, this success is the result of teamwork. The journey of the women's football journey is about 10-12 years. The Football Federation has been fighting since the beginning.” he said.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneMeanwhile, Mahmuda Akhter recalled the difficult times when the players were neglected.
She said: "Our journey was not easy. I am a woman first. Maybe it wouldn't be a problem if it was a man. Today, I have been able to give something to the country. The case is changing slowly.”
Etie Rani Mandal, the goalkeeper of the team, highlighted various aspects of her career. She also answered questions from the audience.
She said: “Everyone wants an identity of themselves. Earlier people knew that I am the younger daughter of Manjit (father). After the Saff championship, people now refer to them as ‘Etie's parents'. Love needs a medium to express. We did not know before that you love us so much, maybe we understood. It has been revealed after this success.”
Bangladesh Football Federation has been nurturing these players for years, said its General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag.
"They have a lot of talent. Girls get a remuneration of Tk4-5lakh. They are getting everything including fame and fortune. But we have limitations,” he said
“We are working with girls. We are working with the support of sponsors. If all of you advance in different areas, it is possible to do well in Asia in the future,” he added.
Book lovers from across Bangladesh started gathering on the Bangla Academy premises braving the cold on Friday morning as the second day of the Dhaka Lit Fest went underway.
The day's programs kicked off with spiritual songs by Sardar Afsar Uddin.