‘Is there anything for women in football in our country?’

Why do girls play football? Is there anything for them?

Sajeda Khatun, a winning member of the historic SAFF Championship campaign in Nepal in September last year, reflected on prolific striker Sirat Jahan Swapna's sudden decision to quit football.

"Is there anything for women in football in our country? I would like to ask you whether Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) gave anything to women footballers. Just wait, you will see many more who will quit football in the coming days. There is no hope," Sajeda rued the lack of initiatives from the game's governing body in the country.

Swapna, one of the national team's most reliable strikers, had relayed yesterday through a social media post that she was retiring from professional football.

The team's successful coach Golam Rabbani Choton also expressed his desire to leave the national and age-group teams in the afternoon soon after Swapna had conveyed her desire.

If Swapna sticks to her decision, she would become the third footballer from the team that clinched the SAFF title in Nepal to quit the game after Anuching Mogini and Sajeda Khatun.

"I played football for seven to eight years and was part of many successful campaigns. I don't know how good I was as a player but I can tell you that you will not get another Swapna very soon. She is an asset to any team.

"If we achieved anything in women's football, it's mainly because of the hard work of the players," she said.

Apart from the lack of financial support, Sajeda believes another big reason behind the frustration of players and team management is federation's the inability to arrange the required number of matches for the national team.

"Why do you play football... only to attend the camp? Since the SAFF title, they could not arrange anything for the footballers. There was a chance to play the Olympic qualifiers but it was also missed for the federation's negligence. Ask them [BFF], they will only tell you their problems. So, why should girls play football in the future," she said.

Sajeda is also saddened by Choton's decision. "It's really painful to hear the news as sir [Golam Rabbani Choton] has also quit his job. You will not get another man like him. He is a real father figure for women footballers in the country."