PM instructs to build house for Rupna

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instructed concerned authorities to build a house for Bangladesh Women’s national football team goalkeeper Rupna Chakma, PM’s press secretary Ihasanul Karim confirmed on Wednesday.

Women’s SAFF Championship 2022 winner Rupna, who hails from Rangamati, won the best goalkeeper award as Bangladesh conceded the least number of goals in the competition, successfully managing to keep four consecutive clean sheets in their road to the final, where the women in red and green eon 3-1 against hosts Nepal.

PM Hasina, who is currently in New York to attend the 77th UNGA summit, gave the instruction after a picture of Rupna’s dilapidated shack caught her attention.

The picture, which became viral on social media, was taken on Tuesday when the Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati district, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman visited Rupna and Ritu Porna Chakma’s house with felicitations. The DC gave Rupna’s mother a cheque of Tk1.5 lakhs, pledged to build them a building and to construct a RCC bridge to replace the bamboo bridge that leads to the house.

On Wednesday, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) vice-president Ataur Rahman announced a cash prize of Tk50 lakhs for the women in red and green at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka upon receiving the champions. Ataur, who is the chairman of Toma Group, announced the reward on behalf of his company.

“The girls have made the entire country proud. They have made us proud. I’m very happy with their success. On behalf of Toma Group, I’m declaring a Tk50 lakhs prize money for the girls.” Ataur said to the media.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also announced a cash reward of Tk 50 lakhs for the Women’s national football Team.

“As a mark of our appreciation and support for their effort, I am declaring Tk 50 lakh for the entire team on behalf of the BCB,” said BCB President Nazmul Hassan.