Two sisters from Bangladesh are making waves in two vastly different sporting arenas, one with her feet, the other with her fists.
Afeida Khandaker, the famed skipper of the Bangladesh women's national football team, has already etched her name in the country's sporting history. Under her captaincy, Bangladesh secured a spot in the AFC Women's Asian Cup for the very first time, and clinched the SAFF U-20 Championship title as well. Her fame has now crossed borders, making her a familiar name beyond the nation.
But this tale of sporting prowess doesn't end there. Enter her elder sister, Afra Khandaker, who, although lesser-known, is rapidly climbing the ranks in the boxing world. Currently competing in the National Boxing Championship, Afra has made it to the semi-finals in the fiercely contested 52-kg category. If she advances to the final, a much-anticipated clash may await her with none other than Zinnat Ferdous, the Bangladeshi-American boxer creating a stir on her homecoming debut.
While Afida's name is sung across stadiums, Afra remains a quiet storm in the ring. Yet, the elder sister harbours no resentment. "There was a time when I felt regret," she shared, "but not anymore. Alhamdulillah, I've come far in boxing."
Interestingly, boxing wasn't Afra's first choice. She was initially hoping to become a footballer.
"I didn't get selected in the BKSP football trials, so I pivoted to boxing. That's where the journey began."
Despite her younger sister's fame, Afra speaks of her with immense pride. "She's representing the nation, it's a joy and an honour for the whole family."
The sisters' sporting journey began with their father, who introduced them to football. Later, under the mentorship of coach Bahar Sir in Satkhira, Afra was drawn into boxing.
Afra, who now studies Physical Education and Sports Science at a Science and Technology University, has managed to strike a fine balance between sport and academia.
"It was my dream to study here after finishing at BKSP, and Masha Allah, both dreams have come true," she remarked.
"Once my boxing career winds down, I intend to step into coaching," she added.
Reflecting on her path and what could improve the standard of boxing in Bangladesh, she notes, "If we could train in residential camps like the footballers, I believe we could shine internationally too."
But boxing comes with its own share of heartbreaks. Afida often finds herself shaken while watching her sister absorb punches in the ring. "She keeps telling me to quit," Afra laughs. "She says, 'Apu, why you do box? Why take those hits?'
Despite the hazards, Afra is not one to back down. With a gold medal from the Youth Games and another from the National Championships already to her name, she now sets her sights on a senior national gold, having claimed silver in the previous year. "Inshallah, this time I'm going for gold," she says with quiet determination.
From the pitch to the ring, this sister duo has shown that when passion meets perseverance, the arena hardly matters. Whether it's goals or gloves, the Khandaker sisters are flying the national flag high, with grit, grace, and unyielding spirit.
