Dhaka: The curtain on the first ever Bangamata U19 Women’s International Gold Cup, organized by Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is set to rise on Monday.
The BFF has taken such an initiative in order to take the country’s women’s football to the world as well as to promote women’s football in the country.
We have read several success stories of Bangladesh’s women’s football in recent past. What we are seeing nowadays did not come about that easily though.
Bangladesh is now a shining name in women’s football in the regional level and to some extent, in the global level. Especially, the age-group teams such as U14, U16 and U18 have been inscribing their signature of success in international football.
However, women’s football in the country is yet to achieve the success that it promises to be possible. This is because of the numerous socio-cultural factors prevailing in the country.
Despite all the setbacks, many girls are coming forward with their football talent and skills to glorify Bangladesh’s name in the world stage.
Let’s have a brief look at the girls’ experiences throughout their footballing career and their thoughts on Bangamata Gold Cup:
Mishrat Jahan Moushumi, Midfielder
“Many told me that football does not go with girls. It’s a game only for the boys,” said national team midfielder Moushumi.
However, some people around Moushumi also encouraged her to go ahead. Those people also convinced her parents to let their girl play football.
“Those people told my parents that the critiques one day would come up with their support when I would bring good results from football,” said Moushumi.
Asked about her preparation ahead of the Gold Cup, Moushumi said she along with her teammates is fully ready to face the challenge in an efficient manner.
Maria Manda, Midfielder
A wonder girl in Bangladesh football. It is said that this girl can hypnotize the ball! She becomes a footballer with her mother’s inspiration and her teachers’ assistance.
Coming from a poor family, Maria had to suffer a lot since her childhood. She thanks Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BFF for coming up with all kinds of assistance for the country’s women footballers who have been facing many real hurdles in their lives.
Akhi Khatun, Defender
With her glorious football talent, Akhi Khatun becomes one of the sources of Bangladesh’s hope and expectation.
Though she plays as a defender, Akhi often showcases her playmaking or goal scoring charisma.
The girl from Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj district has a different tale since her family never set obstacles before her. Especially she mentioned her father’s wish to make her a famous footballer.
Akhi said they would try their best to take the full advantage of the home ground. She wants to make the tournament an inspirational event for herself by winning the trophy.
Marzia Akhter, Forward
National Women’s Team forward Marzia Akhter was sharing her stories of getting involved in football. She also admitted that the conservative societal setting in the countryside did not welcome her steps towards football.
“Even my parents were not happy knowing my passion for sports like football,” Marzia said.
But as the girl started to shine in the school tournament, her family lift up the barricade from her dream’s way.
Marzia talked about her teacher Mofijur Rahman who brought her up as a footballer. She wants to win the ongoing Bangamata Gold Cup to make her teacher happy.
Shamsunnahar, Defender
Shamsunnahar came from Mymensingh’s Kolsindur, the breeding ground of women footballer in the country.
Shamsunnahar decided to become a footballer after she knew the stories of Sanjida, Tohura, who then were participating for the district level matches in Dhaka.
She wants to keep the trophy of the Bangamata U19 Women’s International Gold Cup in the country by fighting hard against the other competitors.
“I feel more energized when I play for our country. Goose bumps prickle my skin and there only one thing spins in my head that how can I give my country something good,” said the girl.
Monika Chakma, Midfielder
The girl from the Chittagong Hill Tracts has a wild passion for football. A source of strength in Bangladesh’s age-group team, Monika can work hard for getting her aims at reach.
As the smallest girl in the family, she had a cheerful childhood compared to her four other sisters. But at first, her parents did not approve her love with football. But once she could manage to play in the national level, the parents, sisters and even the neighbors now feel proud for her achievements. They all are hopeful that Monika will earn something greater by playing football in the days to come.
“We’ll try to play the matches with full efforts. The tournament is being held in our country. So, we got an advantage. And it will be great if we can win the title,” Monika said while talking about the Bangamata Gold Cup.
Sheuli Azim, Defender
She is gem discovered through the Bangamata School Football. She also came from Kolsindur village of Mymensingh.
Once, Sheuli even had no idea that one can be successful in life playing football. She dreamt to be a teacher. However, the school football changed the goal of her life. She now loves football and dreams of football.
Talking about the main reason behind the miserable situation of the senior team, Sheuli said that the girls in Bangladesh cannot manage to remain unmarried after a certain age. They have to get married due to social and familial pressure.
Therefore, the senior team runs with the youngsters who have little experience but have to fight more experienced and physically strong rivals.
“However, I dream of playing in the world cup, the highest stage, one day,” Sheuli said.
Krishna Rani Sarkar, Forward
Tangail born girl Krishna came forward through the Bangamata school football tournament. This amazing football girl from a farmer family is now one of the best strengths in Bangladesh’s attacking line.
Her mother used to cut her football during her early days of practice. But she did something creative to make footballs. “I made footballs with straw and continued my practice with those.”
“My father dreamt that I’d become a doctor, but I could not fulfill that,” said smiling Krishna Rani. “But now everyone around me encourage me to play better.”
Sanjida Akter, Winger
Sanjida’s football journey has begun at her age of 11. Like most of the footballer girls, she also had to face obstacles from her family and the society. But as her feet made her a famous little football star, all the obstacles went away.
She became the 7th best age-group woman footballer in Asia. But this pure football gem has an unlimited thirst for success. She wants to achieve more and more.
“Many countries have known Bangladesh’s name through sports. We can contribute more in spreading the fame of our motherland,” Sanjida said.
She said the society must be gender unbiased. Otherwise the talents hidden in many girls would not be revealed. Sanjida wants to do something great for the country’s women’s football.
Asked about her preparation for the Bangamata Gold Cup, the ‘Messi’ of Bangladesh’s women’s team has replied in a firm and fearless voice that they were all set to face the other competitors.
Sirat Jahan Shopna, Forward
Shopna has begun her football journey with the AFC U14 regional championship. This girl came under spotlight after scoring five goal in a single match in SAFF U16 championship.
So far, her best performance has been recorded in SAFF U18 championship held in Bhutan. That time she scored 7 goals in a single match.
Talking to media about her struggle to be here, Shopna recalled her teacher Harunur Rashid, who successfully convinced her parents to give her permission to play football.
Shopna wants to heal her wound of losing this year’s SAFF championship by winning the Bangamata Gold Cup.
The girls are now set to begin their run for the Bangamata U19 Women’s International Gold Cup. They hope the countrymen will support them enthusiastically. And thus, one day Bangladesh will be a dominating nation in international football as far as the women’s game is concerned.
