Groundbreaking trip
Women booters leave for Korea today
Sports Reporter
A 20-member Bangladesh women's football team leaves for South Korea today to take part in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-17 Championship in South Korea. The first ever U-17 AFC meet for women will be held from April 16 to 27 in Namhae. The Bangladeshi girls will make their maiden international appearance taking on Guam on the opening day. They will play their remaining two group B encounters against Hong Kong (April 18) and Japan (April 20) in the 11-team competition. Ayesha Akhter, who will lead the team, expressed her excitement at the groundbreaking trip. "It is still hard to believe that we are going to play in an international competition because everybody knows how difficult it is for woman to play football in this country. We are really excited," said Ayesha. BFF general secretary Anwarul Hoque Helal was also delighted after battling the odds to send a women's team to an international event. Religious fanatics have often interrupted women's football in recent times and have pressurised organisers into stopping matches and competitions. "We had to introduce women's football in the country according to the AFC's directive and everyone knows how difficult it was. But finally, we could do it. It's just the beginning and we should work hard to encourage our female booters to move ahead," said Helal. Fundamentalist have in the past threatened to attack exhibition matches outside Dhaka but the BFF successfully hosted a full tournament in the capital last year by staying firm against the sentiments of a few radicals. "The girls are yet to get fully comfortable with the game as we have been practising for only four months. The competition would be a great exposure for my girls and that is why we are not thinking about results," said coach Mosharaf Badal. Bangladesh played four practice games in India as part of their preparation where they lost three and drew one. TEAM
Ayesha Akhter (captain), Pinky, Shamima Akhter, Rupali Chakma, Eti Islam, Kemi Chakma, Mahfuza Khatun, Mina Khatun, Hasina Begum, Rawshan Akhter, Mrasao Marma, Aung Mraching Marma, Craching Marma, Rahela Akhter, Reshma Akhter, Shimul Barua, Masuda Khatun, Suinu Prung Marma, Trishna Chakma and Renee Chakma.
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