Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin praised the national women’s team for claiming the Saff Championship title for the first time but said he thought the national side would win the title in 2024 rather than this year.
BFF chief also explained why he was absent during the trophy presentation as he is also the president of South Asian Football Federation and usually the president hands over the trophy to the winning team.
“It would have been great if I was there, but it may have caused some pressure. I skipped the final so that our girls can play without that extra pressure,” said the BFF supremo during a press conference Tuesday.
“If I was rich then I would have flown a plane and be there. It does not matter whether I was present during the trophy giving ceremony. Our girls have won the trophy, that’s the most important thing.
“I thought our girls will win the trophy in 2024. They will be 22 or 24 years of age by that time. But they have won the championship two years earlier.
“I have informed Sports Ministry and Planning Ministry about funds, so that our women’s team can play in Fifa window. Hopefully we will get funding this year.”
The Saff champions will return home Wednesday afternoon.
Salahuddin said he will receive them in the BFF premises rather than in the airport, so that girls can get full attention of media.
Officials from BFF and Sports Ministry will receive the champion girls.