The U16 National Women’s Team members have come a long way in their short careers, becoming champions of the AFC qualifiers beating teams like Iran, Singapore, Kyrgyzstan, Chinese Taipei and UAE.
The team of aspiring youngsters from all over the country is taking part in the national elite residency programme alongside experienced senior players of the national team.
According to the women’s team head coach, the path to their first ever national residency was not an easy one. He says the U16 squad is being trained and built up for international encounters in the upcoming 2017 AFC U16 Women’s Championship in Thailand.
It all started in 2012, when the Bangladesh Football Federation began its training camps for girls under 14 across the country. In total, 210 players were selected and divided into 14 teams under 14 coaches. They went through seminars, workshops, and a lot of football for the next three months.
The 14 teams from 7 divisional zones played a tournament titled the Bangamata in 2012. From there, selectors and coaches finalised a total of 46 players for the National U16 Women’s Team. That was the first time that the BFF had handpicked aspiring female footballers. Choton says, “That was the turning point for women’s football in Bangladesh.”
In 2014, the U16 team proved that the federation’s decision to start training camps from the grassroots was a farsighted and successful one. The team beat Jordan and UAE and put up a good fight against the strong Indian side.
The federation held local age group tournaments and has been scouting for new emerging players simultaneously since then.
In October 2016, the young booters under 16 did something unprecedented. The U16 team qualified for the 2017 AFC Championship with flying colours, with an unbeaten streak against Asian giants. For the first time ever, Bangladesh qualified for the main rounds of the tournament.
From 17th September 2016, the BFF initiated the national elite residency programme for the youngsters. With high hopes and past experiences, the U16 women’s team is now training alongside senior and experienced players in a permanent programme.
Golam Rabbani thinks that the team has much promise. He hopes the unified efforts of the BFF, with enhanced facilities, incentives and support programmes for the girls, the team will play much and bring glory for the country.
Captain of the U16 team, Krishna Rani Sarkar agrees. She says the girls now have excellent facilities, and enhanced diets. All the girls are now provided tutors for their education, and their parents can come visit during scheduled parents’ days. “The support from the federation will surely keep the girls passionate.”
< Prev | Next > |
---|