BFF to compensate for missing dollars of women footballers

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has expressed disappointment and concern over the stolen dollars owned by Krishna Rani Sarkar and Shamsunnahar Sr.  -- two members of the SAFF Women's Championship-winning team.

After the Bangladesh team landed in Dhaka from Kathmandu at 1:42 pm yesterday, they embarked on a nearly four-hour long journey from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) headquarters in Dhaka. Later in the night following a press conference at the BFF, Krishna and Shamsunnahar discovered their bags unlocked and money missing.

Mahfuza Akhter Kiran, head of the BFF women's wing, said that the BFF took action quickly.

"Krishna Rani Sarkar and Shamsunnah Sr. had 900 and 400 dollars, respectively. It's extremely disappointing. Such an event is totally unexpected. We are gravely concerned," Kiran said.

"Biman Bangladesh Airlines has also been informed, Civil Aviation too. Our representatives have gone to the airport and Motijheel police station to file a GD [General Diary]."

Kiran said the luggage of the women's contingent were brought from the airport to the BFF headquarters in a covered van, behind which followed two BFF cars along with a police guard. Even after being brought to BFF's house, it was kept under CCTV surveillance, according to Kiran.

The BFF, however, could not find anything in their CCTV footage. Civil Aviation, too, said in a statement that they did not find anything on the CCTV. Kiran added that they are also investigating whether anything happened in Nepal before coming to Bangladesh.

Kiran further stated that BFF will provide Krishna and Shamsunnahar with compensation if their money is not recovered.  

"It is a lot of money for them, especially when they are so young. If their money is not recovered, I will definitely take initiative on behalf of BFF," Kiran said.

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Khalid Hossain (অভি)