Bangladesh’s female footballers, who have consistently delivered on the field, remain financially constrained. Players such as Afeida and Rituporna, who helped secure Asia Cup qualification, currently earn a monthly salary of just 55,000 BDT. The youth and sports adviser has called for their pay to be doubled.
A friendly match was held today at the Bashundhara Kings Arena between a team of advisers and visiting diplomats. With each side having won one of the previous two matches, this third game served as the series decider. The match ended in a draw at full time, and a tiebreaker saw the team of foreign diplomats based in Bangladesh emerge victorious.
Adviser stresses need for pay reform
Speaking to journalists after the match, youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiya highlighted the issue of female athletes’ salaries. “Salary matters fall under the authority of both BFF and BCB. We have instructed them to enhance opportunities and facilities for women players. BCB has already equalised tour fees and allowances for female athletes and raised salaries by 35 per cent,” he said.
He added that while BCB has the financial capacity, BFF currently does not, which has prevented any salary increases so far. “Women footballers’ pay remains very low. I have directed a 100 per cent increase. BFF has requested funds for this, and we are working to provide them,” Sojib Bhuiya said.
Bonuses for medal-winning athletes
Since taking office, the adviser has introduced financial incentives for sporting achievements. Recently, archers winning bronze at the Asian Archery Championship in Dhaka received 1 million BDT each. Bronze medalists in weightlifting, wushu, and kabaddi at the Islamic Solidarity Games and the Kabaddi World Cup will also be rewarded. “We are providing incentives for international medals to encourage athletes. Following Bangladesh’s win over India after 22 years, a 20 million BDT bonus was announced,” he said. The ministry has requested lists from federations, with cheques to be issued promptly.
Comments on Olympic elections
Sojib Bhuiya also addressed concerns regarding the Olympic elections. Two members of the Ministry of Sports’ search committee have become candidates. “Olympic elections are governed by the Olympic Association, and we are not involved. I understand that some candidates were blocked, which is regrettable. Complaints received relate to conflict of interest—those who appoint councillors or committees may themselves have conflicts. We have written to the Olympic Association regarding this issue,” he explained.
The National Sports Council has instructed federations to prevent athletes from participating in electoral campaigns. “We want to keep athletes above political conflicts. If anyone disobeys, the federation will take appropriate action,” Sojib Bhuiya added.
Plans for a new stadium
Interest in Bangladeshi football has surged with the arrival of players like Hamza and Shamit. The current national stadium has a capacity of just 20,000, prompting plans for a new 50,000-capacity stadium. “We have written to RAJUK and the Ministry of Land to construct a 45–50,000 capacity stadium on 101 acres in Purbachal,” the adviser said. BDAR chairman Ashik Chowdhury added, “Some development may also be possible through public-private partnerships. We will review the investment case to see if a complex can be built there.”
