SAFF Women’s Champions get hero’s welcome in Dhaka

NN Online:

Bangladesh women’s national football team which won the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 returned to Dhaka on Thursday afternoon, greeted with fanfare and a warm welcome by officials, fans, and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) leaders, who proudly celebrated the team’s remarkable achievement.

The team landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 2:15 pm, where BFF officials received the players with bouquets and heartfelt congratulations. This year’s victory marked Bangladesh’s second consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship title, a testament to their exceptional skills and resilience, reports UNB.

Bangladesh clinched the title by defeating Nepal, a six-time finalist and host, with a close 2-1 score in Wednesday’s final match in Kathmandu. This win solidified their undefeated status throughout the tournament, adding to their victory over Nepal in the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship final, where they won 3-1 to claim their first-ever title.

Standout players included Ritu Porna Chakma, awarded the title of Most Valuable Player, and Rupna Chakma, named Best Goalkeeper for her stellar performance throughout the tournament.

After clearing airport formalities, the celebrated team embarked on a jubilant procession to the BFF headquarters in Motijheel, traveling by open-roof bus along the elevated expressway while proudly displaying the SAFF trophy.

The team will be honored in a special reception later today, hosted by Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan is also scheduled to meet with the players at the BFF headquarters at 5:00 pm.