The air at Hatirjheel Amphitheatre during wee hours of Monday, crackled with optimism as Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal lauded the women's national football team as "agents of societal change" and passionately declared "Mission Australia."
This powerful message from a young leader should, in theory, fill the players with confidence about their future. Yet, beneath the celebratory veneer, a crucial question lingers: will these grand promises finally translate into the tangible support and facilities this trailblazing team truly deserves?
The BFF, undeniably, merits credit for the team's recent historic success in securing a maiden AFC Women's Asian Cup berth. They have provided a foreign coach, accommodation, sustenance, and a basic salary. However, the federation's track record is far from spotless. Lofty promises made after the SAFF triumphs in both 2022 and 2024 largely went unfulfilled. This history of pledges not materialising casts a long shadow over the current, more ambitious declarations.
While the current provisions are a step, they are hardly fitting for a champion team that has brought immense pride to the nation. What the BFF has consistently failed to deliver is a robust domestic structure, a vital platform from which these talented young women can earn a decent livelihood and build sustainable careers. The current salaries, often meagre and, as revealed by past instances, even delayed for months, are simply not commensurate with their achievements or the demands of professional sport. One can only hope that this time, the BFF will honour all its commitments, preventing future scenarios where Captain Afida Khandakar might feel compelled to publicly request the BFF women's wing chief to clear outstanding wages during an international tournament.
Captain Afida herself, speaking to the media, articulated several valid and pressing demands: better training facilities, improved grounds, enhanced dietary provisions, more international friendly matches against stronger opponents, and crucially, a structured domestic women's football league. Such a league would not only provide consistent competitive exposure but also enable female footballers across the country to earn a respectable income.
Considering the myriad challenges the women's team has had to overcome – a testament to their inherent resilience, as star player Ritu Porna Chakma aptly noted, they "know how to fight through adversity" – their true potential remains largely untapped. It is high time the BFF moves beyond rhetoric and implements visible, concrete initiatives. Only then can "Mission Australia" evolve from a mere slogan into a comprehensive, well-supported journey towards genuine global recognition for Bangladesh women's football.
