Through rice fields, narrow bamboo bridges, and hilly streams, one must navigate the rugged path to reach the home of football’s Ritu Porna Chakma.
Her journey to success has not been smooth, as reflected by the modest condition of her village home. Nonetheless, her house now shines with a different light.
Another girl from the hills, Rupna’s home is similarly remote. Yet, even on the day of her daughter’s extraordinary victory, her mother, Kala Sona Chakma, remains busy tending to the fields.
On Wednesday, Ritu Porna scored the decisive goal for the country at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal, which has sent the entire nation into celebration over the SAFF Championship victory.
Rangamati, the hilly district where Ritu Porna, Rupna, and Monika come from, is no exception. Due to their skills, the nation triumphed once again.
With Bangladesh clinching the SAFF Women’s Championship for the second consecutive time, the homes of Ritu Porna and Rupna in Rangamati are filled with joy. Neighbours and relatives are flocking to celebrate, proud of their achievement.
However, by Thursday afternoon, no one from the District Sports Association, local administration, or district administration had visited their families.
Ritu Porna Chakma hails from the remote Mogai Chari village in Ghagra Union of Rangamati District. There are no good roads to access her village, which is about an hour's walk-through rice fields.
Ritu Porna, who emerged from this rural area, is now a national star. Having led Bangladesh to victory for the second consecutive time, she was also named the tournament’s best player.
Her sister’s husband, Sudip Chakma, shared: “We all watched the game together last evening. When Ritu scored and Bangladesh won, we were all elated. After the game, Ritu called; she was equally happy to have been named the best player.”
On her way back to the country, Ritu Porna Chakma expressed her feelings via a video call, saying: “I am, of course, happy to be the best player in South Asia. It’s hard to put this happiness into words.”
Her mother, Bhujipati Chakma, commented: “Watching my daughter play made me very happy. I pray for her to continue playing well.”
She added: “Last time, when Ritu and the team won, many from the administration visited us. They promised a new house, better roads, and much more, but nothing materialized. My daughters are playing for the country. Hopefully, the government will do something for us this time.”
SAFF-winning goalkeeper Rupna Chakma’s home is in the Bhuiyadham village of Ghila Chari Union in Naniarchar, Rangamati.
To reach Rupna’s house, one must travel along the winding paths of sloping hills. Rupna’s family used to live in a dilapidated home.
After Bangladesh’s victory in South Asia’s football championship in September 2022, a news report highlighted the poor condition of her house. Following this, a new house was built for her family in September this year. However, this remarkable achievement doesn’t seem to have changed her mother, Kala Sona Chakma, who, like on any other day, remains occupied with fieldwork.
Kala Sona Chakma expressed: “When my daughter reached the finals and won the match, I was very happy. I pray that she continues to play well in the future. There was talk of building a road, but nothing has happened. No one has kept in touch, and no one has checked in all this time.”
Their former coach and teachers at Ghagra High School are proud of the critical role they played in Bangladesh’s consecutive SAFF victories.
