Bangladesh women's national football team, the two times champion of the SAFF Women's Championship, received Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, from Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in a colourful programme on Thursday at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
Sanjida-Krishna battalion was given the award in recognition to their contribution to sports and women's empowerment.
The award, Ekushey Padak, was introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contributions in a number of fields, including culture, education, and economics. From the beginning, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs administers the award.
The woman footballers in the red and green jerseys had brough honour for the nation winning the SAFF trophy twice in a row, first in 2022 and the second in 2024.
The last SAFF squad had Rupna Chakma, Yearzan Begum, Mile Akter, Masura Parvin, Afeida Khandaker, Shamsunnahar Sr. Nilufa Yesmin Nila, Kohati Kisku, Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Sapna Rani, Munki Akhter, Airin Khatun, Sumaya Matsushima, Sanjida Akhter, Ritu Porna Chakma, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Tohura Khatun, Sabina, Shamsunnahar Jr., Sagorika and Srimoti Krishnarani Sarkar.
However, women's head coach Peter Butler was absent in the award programme as he was busy in practice on the day.
