After more than three months of waiting, the Bangladesh women’s football team are finally set to receive the Tk 50 lakh reward announced by Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan in recognition of their historic qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
The award ceremony will be held on Wednesday morning at 10:30 am in the conference room of the National Sports Council (NSC), where the executive director will officially hand over the promised sum. NSC’s Director (Sports) Aminul Ehsan has already issued a letter to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), requesting the presence of the federation’s president, general secretary, five officials, and all members of the Asian Cup qualifying squad.
Bangladesh made history earlier this year, between 29 June and 5 July, by finishing unbeaten champions in their qualifying group in Myanmar, sealing their maiden berth in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The upcoming payout marks the fulfilment of Asif’s promise made on 7 July, shortly after the team’s return from Myanmar. The players had just come back from playing two friendly matches in Thailand on Tuesday night, making the timing of the award a long-awaited relief.
This is not the first time the Sports Adviser has recognised the women’s team’s success promptly. Following their SAFF Championship triumph in Kathmandu, he had announced a Tk 1 crore bonus, which was delivered to the players within a week of their return to Dhaka.
In contrast, the BFF’s own promised Tk 1.5 crore reward for that SAFF Championship victory which was announced during its first executive meeting on 9 November last year remains unpaid.
Moreover, while the BFF organised a lavish reception in Hatirjheel after the Asian Cup qualification, no financial rewards or bonuses were extended to the players, leaving questions over priorities and spending.
