‘I had to balance football and society’

Matsushima Sumaya is a Bangladeshi footballer and freestyler, born to a Japanese mother and Bangladeshi father. Sumaya started her footballing journey at seven and speaking to The Business Post’s Samiur Rahman, she opened up about her career and struggles

Your mother is from Japan and your father is from Bangladesh. You were born in Japan, right?

Yes, I was born in Japan, but grew up in Bangladesh. When I was seven years old, I came to Bangladesh.

When did you take football as your passion, or started showing your interest in football?

The place I used to live in Baridhara, had a little park. A foreign coach used to teach little kids. At that time, I was studying in class one and as a little kid, I used to go there. That was my beginning and I never stopped.

When was the first tournament you played in?

I played inter-school when I was in class nine and ten.

In Bangladesh, people do not appreciate girls playing outdoors. So, was there ever any holding back from your family?

From my personal experience, I can say that guardians usually do not like girls to play football. So, I had to balance football and society. But I did not experience any hindrance from my parents’ side.

Playing football and bringing the tricks as a freestyler are two different pathways. So, when did you develop your interest in freestyling?

I had my ACL injury, which meant that I had problems controlling the back-and-forth movement of my knee and I was told that I cannot play without surgery. I was out for about two years. When I wanted to come back, lockdown started. When I touched the football to regain my physical fitness, I felt the urge to start playing immediately. So, I started to learn freestyling from YouTube and other videos available on other online sources.

When did the Bashundhara Kings Women’s team pick you?

In the beginning, they wanted me for the Under-19 trial. Later, Bashundhara Kings approached me and I started my professional career.

You also went to play in Maldives.

I played there in Dhivehi Premier League, Maldives’ national level football programme.

What are your plans for your career? Do you want to stick to freestyling or do you want to move up in the professional football arena?

My priority is always football. Regarding freestyle, I love it.

Have you ever played any match for any Bangladesh national side?

I have never played for Bangladesh’s national side, but I have played four matches for Bashundhara Kings and scored twice.

Who is your idol?

As a footballer, I obviously look up to Cristiano Ronaldo. But in Bangladesh, after playing for Bashundhara Kings, our captain Sabina Khatun is my favourite.

Do you have any messages for other girls who really like to play football?

Bangladesh women’s football is developing day by day, so girls can take football as a profession here.