Five more members of Bangladesh's SAFF Women's Championship-winning football team departed for Thimphu on Sunday to join the Bhutan National Women's Football League, which kicks off on April 15.
The latest batch includes senior players Sanjida Akter, Maria Manda, Shamsunnahar Sr, Masura Parvin, and SAFF’s best goalkeeper Rupna Chakma. Their departure brings the total number of Bangladeshi footballers participating in the Bhutan league this season to a record nine—the highest ever in a foreign league for the country’s women's team.
However, one notable absence was forward Krishna Rani Sarkar, who could not travel with the group due to a delay in obtaining her work permit.
Last Sunday, four other Bangladeshi players—national team captain Sabina Khatun, SAFF MVP Ritu Porna Chakma, along with Monika Chakma and Matsushima Sumaya—had already reached Thimphu to begin their campaign with Paro FC.
In this season’s Bhutan league, the Bangladeshi players will represent three different clubs. Paro FC will feature Sabina, Ritu Porna, Monika, and Sumaya. Masura Parvin and Rupna Chakma will turn out for Transport United, while Sanjida Akter, Maria Manda, and Shamsunnahar Sr will play for Thimphu City FC.
As per FIFA regulations, all clubs will be required to release the players whenever they are called up for national team duty.
Sabina Khatun, a seasoned international player, has previously played in the Maldives league, while Sanjida Akter had a stint with Kolkata's East Bengal Club. Additionally, Sabina, Ritu Porna, Maria, and Monika had represented Royal Thimphu College FC in the AFC Women's Champions League qualifiers held in Bhutan in August last year.
This growing presence of Bangladeshi female footballers in international leagues reflects the rapid progress and recognition of women’s football in the country.
MB
