Home ›› 23 Sep 2022 ›› Back
Mystery has shrouded the theft of money and other valuables from the luggage of two players of the Bangladesh women’s football team that came to light following their arrival in Bangladesh from Nepal on Wednesday.
It has been alleged that the incident took place inside the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) after the plane landed in Dhaka with the team, which clinched the title of SAFF Women’s Championship by beating four-time finalists and hosts Nepal 3-1 in Kathmandu on Monday.
However, the HSIA authorities have claimed that the theft did not occur at the airport. Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which is responsible for ground handling services at HSIA, have also claimed that the two players’ luggage was received in proper condition.
But none of the two organisations has the answer to when, where and how the theft happened or who was behind it. And the mystery remains to be solved.
At a press briefing, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) General Secretary Md Abu Nayeem Shohag told reporters that they have filed two general dairies (GD) and informed Biman and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
After the champions arrived home on Wednesday afternoon, they were given a warm reception in a victory parade on an open-deck bus from HSIA to Motijheel amid cheers from jubilant fans.
Later, when they arrived at BFF, players Krishna Rani Sarkar, Sanjida Akhter and Shamsunnahar (Senior) found out that a total of $1,300 and Tk 50,000, along with other valuables, were missing from two of their bags.
One of the bags contained $900 and Tk 50,000 that belonged to Krishna and Sanjida while the other contained $400 that belonged to Shamsunnahar. Player Marzia Akhter’s Nepali rupees also got stolen from another bag. Several other players also alleged that the locks and chains of some of their bags were damaged as well.
The incident has created a storm of criticisms across the country, with people demanding the authorities take immediate action to remedy the situation that has left the women booters brokenhearted. At the press briefing, BFF Executive Committee Member and Women Wing Chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron said Biman and CAAB are investigating. “They will inform us if they find anything.”
“Even though we just came from Nepal, it is difficult to say right now where exactly the incident took place. They will check and then inform us,” she added.
Mafuza added, “These girls are children. This was a lot of money for them. If the money is not found, then BFF will take necessary steps.”
In a media statement, HSIA Executive Director Group Captain Mohammad Kamrul Islam said that after the plane landed at 1:42pm, the bags were taken to the baggage make-up area at 1:59 pm. The process was completed at 2:08pm.
Afterwards, BFF protocol representatives and two team officials took over the luggage, while they were intact and locked, from the airport authorities, he said. He added that they could not find any proof of theft after checking the CCTV camera footage.
