Frisk highlight of bright opening

Special guest, Swedish international defender Johanna Frisk (L) watches the opening match of the SAFF Women's Championship between Nepal and Maldives at Cox's Bazar yesterday. Nepal won 6-0 as the biggest football extravaganza for women in the region kicked-off amidst much fanfare. Photos: Courtesy/Banglar Chokh

The biggest footballing extravaganza for women in South Asia got underway at the seaside city of Cox's Bazar yesterday amidst much enthusiasm, fanfare, and some disorganization in the presence of the high priests of Asian and domestic football.
A colourful children's display started the proceedings of the tournament. Some 400 schoolchildren, clad in bright colors, performed to popular tunes. The children's display was followed by performances of up and coming local singers who kept the audience engaged.
Highups of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA representatives were all present to witness the occasion that marked the biggest sports event for the popular tourist destination of Cox's Bazar.
Worawi Makudi, Chairman of FIFA's Women's Football Committee, formally inaugurated the tournament.
Congratulating the BFF for hosting such a big scale tournament, Makudi said: “This tournament will not only create enthusiasm for football, but it will also provide rich entertainment for the locals. This will have a clear impact on women's football. But this venture needs to be carried on.”
BFF president Kazi Salahuddin said that this tournament would, apart from supporting football, showcase Cox's Bazar as a safe and beautiful tourist destination to the people of the world. The football legend of the country also asked for time to take women's football to the grassroots level.
Manilal Fernando, Vice President SAFF & AFC and Alberto Colasso, General Secretary of SAFF was also present.
However amidst all these glittering names, one Swedish football star stole the limelight.
Johana Frisk, Swedish defender and former teammate of Brazilian legend Marta at LA SOL, paraded the ground to encourage local women in the game.
A former member of the U23 Swedish national team and a three-time Swedish League champion, Frisk said she was glad to come to Bangladesh and wished that women's football of this region progresses day by day.
“It's never too late to start. It's a good thing that women's football has started here and now it should be held on a regular basis to keep up the good work,” said the 24-year old.
However, amidst all this talk of hope and goodwill, the sign of mismanagement and unprepared-ness was strikingly visible.
The VIP box and the adjacent press box lacked the touch of many modern day facilities. The makeshift press box failed to accommodate local journalists after catering for the one's from the capital.
The main performer of the opening ceremony missed her flight from Dhaka to the dismay of the locals. The disorganization reached its pinnacle when players had to wait for an embarrassingly long time before the national anthems come into effect.
To top it all, the game also started 15 minutes later than scheduled.