Women’s league to start with players left out

The women's football league is all set to return today after a seven-year gap, but a group of players believe their football career is already coming to an end due to Bangladesh Football Federation's (BFF) decision of not allowing their team in the league.

The league will kick off through the match between Bashundhara Kings and Begum Anwara Sporting Club at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur at 3:00pm.

The game's local governing body managed to convince seven teams including Bashudhara Kings to take part in the league as established clubs such as Abahani, Mohammedan, Sheikh Jamal, Brothers Union, Wari Club and Victoria Club refused to participate due to either financial constraints or unsuitable time of the league.

In absence of 2011 edition champions Sheikh Jamal and 2013 edition champions Abahani, the league is expected to be a one-sided affair, with Bashundhara Kings boasting 19 national players of different age-group teams being tipped as favourites.

Among the other teams, only FC Uttar Bango have four national players while the rest are relying on their respective local players, leaving at least 25 national age-group players out of the league.

Reviving women's league was a long-time demand from stakeholders, with the intention of giving age-group players platform to shine and increase their competitiveness, but the purpose has seemingly hit a roadblock even before the ball gets rolling as most of the BFF-run training camp players are not getting an opportunity in the league.

"Some of the girls could not find teams due to the absence of Bangladesh Premier League clubs and we can't force any participating team to sign up those players," BFF women's committee chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron said at a press briefing at the BFF House yesterday.

In March 2019, the BFF started licencing of the clubs which wanted to participate in women's league by setting some criteria such as full-time general secretary or CEO, training facilities, qualified coaches, club secretariats and adequate financial backup. But the game's local governing body eventually allowed most of the clubs in the league without meeting those criteria.

The BFF suspended Swapnachura and Akkelpur FA just a few days before the start of the league fearing unwanted incidents during the league but the players yesterday burst into tears in front of the BFF House after their failure to be part of the league.

"Having overcome social barriers, we came here to play in women's league but we are not getting the opportunity. If we return home without playing the league, our football career will come to an end because the parents will not allow us to play football and people of society will also joke with us," said Swapnachura and Akkelpur midfielder Nazma Akter.

"It is really painful for us as we can't play football. We came to this stage by working hard as it is very tough to play football ignoring social taboos. Our dream has shattered but what was our fault?" said Subarna Akter Ema, who, along with nine others players, went to the BFF to meet Kiron but were not able to reach her.

Kiron, however, told reporters that those girls will be given priority during the BFF trial when forming age-group teams.

Cholo Kheli Trust, BFF women's league's strategic partner for the next three years, roped in Sher-e-Bangla Foundation which will sponsor the league titled Tricotex Women's Football League.