Home ›› 21 Sep 2022 ›› Nation
Eight members of the Bangladesh women’s football team are from the Kolsindur village of Mymensingh’s Dhobaura upazila. The start of these star footballers’ journey was not an easy one.
In 2011, Mofizuddin, an assistant teacher at Kolsindur Primary School, heard about the newly-announced Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Tournament for primary school students.
A fourth grader, Sanjida Akhter was one of the first to join the school football team formed by Mofizuddin. Maria Manda, Shioli Azim, Marzia Akhter, Shamsunnahar, Tohura Khatun, and Sajeda also joined the team one by one.
These eight players who started their journey through the primary school football team are now part of the national team.
Mofizuddin became the team’s coach after the team was formed, and Minoti Rani Sheel, the headmaster of the school provided maintenance support and other facilities.
In 2012, the team took part in the tournament and became the runners-up at the national level.
They began training again with new vigour with the expectations of becoming champions.
Mofizuddin said the beginning was a challenge the girls overcame with hard work and determination.
“The people of this village are conservative and did not want to let their girls play football. It took a lot of effort to convince the parents,” he said, adding that many people mocked and made fun of them while they practised on the fields.
He further said the girls practised on the field after school time and on days off along with their studies. The girls have found success in their efforts and this is the proper response to the mocking comments people had made, he added.
In 2013, Kolsindur Primary School became the champion in Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Tournament. The team got the attention of the local administration and sportspersons after this. They began receiving better facilities.
In 2014, Bangladesh won the AFC Under-14 Regional Championship where Maria Manda and Shamsunnahar played vital roles. Encouraged by this, other female students of the area came forward to join Kolsindur’s football team.
Minoti Rani Sheel, the headmaster of Kalsindur Primary School, said that in the beginning, the main problem was overcoming the conservative mindset that women should not play sports.
“These girls are making history and we are proud. I am glad that we pushed through the tough times and overcame the obstacles,” she said, adding that the school’s team practices regularly and children from classes three and above participate.
Sanjida’s father Liakat Ali said that he allowed her to play football because of her interest and the encouraging words of her teachers.
“The villagers did not take it well at first. But it is not a problem anymore since my daughter became famous,” he said.
Shamsunnahar’s father, Nekbar Mia, said he watches his daughter’s matches regularly. “When she scores a goal, my heart fills with joy. I am proud of the girls’ success,” he added.
The small village of Kolsindur by the borders became well known due to women’s progress in football. The village got electricity and paved roads due to this.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given the girls of the football team a monetary donation along with a reception due to their contribution.
A special lesson is included in the textbook of Class XI, titled The Unbeaten Girls, recording the story of these girls.
The text describes the success stories of girls from poor families in a small village by the Garo Hills. The biographies of Sanjida, Maria, Tahura, Shamsunnahar, Shiuli Azim, Najma Akhtar, and Maziya Akhtar, along with the deceased member Sabina Khatun are described there.
Mala Rani Sarkar, assistant professor of Kolsindur Government School and College, said, “We are very happy and proud that our girls’ names are in the national textbook. Some of them are also students here, we hope for their bright future.”
