From the very beginning of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024, Ritu Porna Chakma was among Bangladesh’s top performers in every match in their title winning campaign, and was subsequently named the most valuable player of the meet.
Having provided plenty of goalscoring chances and hitting the woodwork once each against Pakistan and India during the group fixtures, she found the net in the semi-final against Bhutan before slamming the winner in the final against hosts Nepal, bringing joy to the football-mad nation, and silencing the boisterous 15,000-odd home crowd.
Her pace and skill down the left wing was a glaring positive for Bangladesh throughout the tournament.
She later received an offer to play in Europe for a North Macedonian top-flight club after her outstanding performance in the recently concluded tournament.
In an exclusive interview with Dhaka Tribune, the rising female star talked about her life in football, starting on a remote hill amid poverty.
Here are the excerpts:
How did it all start in football?
I started playing football in 2012. I was studying in class three. Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament started in 2011. Our school participated in that competition. I became a footballer because of this competition. When I first kicked the ball my toenails came off. I didn't know that girls can play football. I was very young. I took it as a hobby. I liked it. I didn't go to training as my nails came off. I was afraid of my teacher Bir Sen Chakma who was my paternal uncle. I also respected him. I resumed training because of him. I came from a very poor family. The fare from my house to where we used to train was Tk20. The distance was around three-four kilometers. My father was a daily wage farmer. We were four sisters and one brother. Brother died in 2021. Father passed away in 2015. After the death of my father, the situation of the family became perilous. It was impossible for my mother to pay for my transportation to and from training due to my father being the sole bread earner of the family. After my father passed away, the education of my three sisters stopped. Then my brother and I continued our studies. My respected teacher Bir Sen Chakma provided me the opportunities to study and play sports. In 2015 I gave trial at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan and got selected. There was no money to join BKSP. Jetha (Bir Sen) arranged money from various sources. I was in BKSP for about a year. Mother was not able to pay my monthly salary. My elder sister used to work in a garment in Chittagong. She took the responsibility of me and the family. Many people in the village spoke ill of me for playing sports and studying. It was not possible to manage the fees of BKSP. I had many months of fees owing. My sister used to arrange money for me by selling her gold earrings. Many people came forward to help. My gratitude to all.
Tell us about your route to the senior women’s national team…
I did not know anything about the national football team at the beginning. I played in the Under-15 team for the first time in 2017. My journey started from there. I made senior team debut in 2019. Before that, I played for U-15, 16, 17, 18. Then my senior debut came while playing in the Olympic qualifiers in Myanmar. But I could not make it to the 2019 SAFF Championship. My first SAFF was in 2022.
Your SAFF Championship debut turned out to be a memorable experience…
It was history. For the first time we became SAFF champions. I am very proud to be a member of that team. Being a part of this history is a great achievement for me. There was a lot of experience on the field. I used to play as substitute. Whenever I entered the field I tried to play with my maximum. I made a commitment in 2022 to be in the next edition's team and play well. I worked hard. This time I was in the starting XI in every match.
Now you play on the left wing. Did you try elsewhere before?
I used to play as a striker. I also played in midfield. But I played mostly on the wing. Initially I played in midfield. I started playing on the wing at BKSP.
Who contributed the most in your inspiring journey?
The most important contribution behind me coming to football of course, came from respected teacher Bir Sen Chakma, as well as coach Shanti Moni Chakma and his associates. There were many. But the contribution of these two people is the most.
Growing up as a child, what do you like the most about hills?
People in the hills are very hard-working. We have to work hard. It takes a lot of hard work to make a living. Life can’t go on without hard work. If you want to do something good in life, you have to work hard.
Who is your favorite player?
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Where do you want to see yourself in the future?
My career is just beginning. I have big dreams in football. There is a dream and desire to take Bangladesh to more victories and better places - not only in South Asia, but also in Asia and Europe. I want to play in a European league. An offer has arrived. If all goes well, I will try to utilize the opportunity.
