A national female footballer recently decided to retire at the age of 20 as a reaction against the manner in which she was omitted from the Bangladesh Football Federation women's football camp, but the coaches couldn't accept the premature farewell while defending the allegation.
Anuching Mogini, a winning member of the historic Saff Championship 2022 campaign, said in an interview with Dhaka Tribune that she felt disrespected after being informed of her dismissal from the camp that has currently 68 female footballers.
She said she could have been given hints earlier but head coach Golam Rabbani Choton countered that every footballer was regularly reminded they would be left out if they didn't perform well.
The reason for the removal on performance grounds has drawn mixed reaction from both parties, but it's not what prompted Anuching to hang up her boots.
According to her, the decision was passed on to her by BFF technical director Paul Thomas Smalley in English while an official was translating it to Bangla.
No local coaches or federation authority explained the reason personally afterwards, which made her more emotional and the decision of retirement also came shortly, she had said.
Choton told Dhaka Tribune it was the right approach to go about things but added that it is not the end of their career and that they have opportunity to come back anytime through their performance.
“We always reminded them during the camp that if they don't improve, they will be left out and others will take their place but even if they are out, they can return later if they carry on playing,” he said.
But the method applied by the guardians couldn't satisfy 19-year old forward Sajeda Khatun as well, especially the timing of it.
Sajeda was also in the Saff Championship 2022 squad and featured in one match for a few minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Also Read: Disrespect behind my retirement, says Anuching
She was one of four players including Anuching who were informed their departure from the camp on the same day.
“I also decided that I wouldn't play anymore after how they sent me home. They could have given me some hints earlier,” Sajeda told Dhaka Tribune over phone from her village in Kalsindur, Mymensingh.
Like Anuching, Sajeda had also been in the camp for seven years and represented different national youth and senior teams during this time.
“I didn't like how they said goodbye. If they gave me clue the previous night, I could have skipped practice in the morning and prepared myself mentally for departure.”
The last few months of 2022 was very hectic for Sajeda.
She was attending intermediate (HSC) exams in Mymensingh and playing the Premier League in Dhaka simultaneously after the Saff Championship.
“I hope how they removed me from camp will never happen to anyone. It could have been handled better,” said Sajeda.
“Now I'm sitting at home. I don't feel well. I'm alone here. No practice, no schedule, no study. I'm trying to get into Bangladesh Army team but if my pursuit fails, I'll also call retirement.”
Mahmuda Akter Ananna, the assistant coach of the national women's team, has been staying at the camp with the footballers since the very beginning.
She said it is also sad for her to see anyone leave the camp and mentioned some names like Maria Manda and Monika Chakma who were left out before but made return later.
Both are now integral members of the senior side.
“Whenever their performance was up or down, we pointed them out. I always advised them where they needed to be better. It's not like that they are leaving forever. They have the chance to come back.” Ananna told Dhaka Tribune.
She continued, “I told Sajeda not to feel bad before the departure but she replied that she wouldn't play anymore. It's very premature. They are adults now. They have to accept it.”