Sajeda Khatun received only one international cap before calling it quits at the age of 20. She returned home to a place where football has been celebrated through the success of at least eight national female footballers who hail from the same area. Dhaka Tribune caught up with the forward for an exclusive interview. Here are the excerpts.
Why did you quit?
I was shocked after being excluded from the camp. We returned after winning the SAFF Championship, played the league, and suddenly one day I was asked to leave. I was not prepared for that.
Will you not even play the league?
I'm fully retired. I didn't get the full payment from the club I played for in the league. I'm yet to get Tk1,75,000 from them. Why should I play football?
I don't know if it happens with all the players but the national footballers deserve more. I'm a SAFF winner. Why did this happen to me?
If you had received the payment in time, would you have retired?
I wouldn't have quit now but I had planned to retire after two or three years.
How are you spending the free time?
I was not with the family for many years. Now I'm happy that I'm with them. My parents are happy. I don't have to do anything at home. There is no work.
Sometimes I go to explore the nature. We have hills near the border. We have rivers. I go there in the afternoon. I also listen to music. Sometimes I also dance with the kids (laughs).
You became a hero in your locality after becoming South Asian champion. How did they take your decision?
They said, “You have done a lot for the country; this will remain a great memory.” Many people come to see me and they still love me. When I played football as a kid, they used to say negative words. They don't do this now.
Do you want to train the youth in your village?
The girls sometime ask me to look after them when they practice in school. When I feel good, I go there. I often feel bad while looking at the field. I think about where I was and where I am now. I was mad about football. I didn't feel peace if I had missed a single training session due to rain or storm. I didn't feel good at all after I left the camp.
Do any of your siblings play football?
We are two sisters and three brothers. Sometimes I bring my younger brother to the field but I don't want him to continue playing. I want him to concentrate on studies.
It seems like you are angry with the game you used to love…
Still when I watch matches, tears roll down my eyes. The whole country knows me because of football. It was like a dream world. If I had stayed back home, would you have known me?
What's your plan?
Now I want to study only. I'm in second year of HSC in Mymensingh. After studies, I'll look for a good job.
Do you have any suggestions on improving female footballers?
My opinion is that the girls are in the camp for one reason, which is football. If they don't play matches but only practice, it's no good. There should be at least two-three tournaments every year. Sometimes we spend two years without a tournament. If the concerned authority works on it, women footballers would benefit from this.