BWSA protests cancellation of women’s football match

The Bangladesh Women’s Sports Association (BWSA) has protested the cancellation of a women’s football match in Derai upazila of Sunamganj following alleged threats and intimidation by a small but vocal radical fundamentalist group.

The association also called on the local administration and other stakeholders to ensure that the match is held immediately, with adequate security and dignity.

BWSA president Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla made the remarks at a press conference at the association’s office in Dhanmondi. General secretary and former South Asian Games gold medallist Sharmin Akter Ratna, Derai sports organiser Rakib Bhuiyan and Swapnachura Club captain Sabana Akhter were also present.

“It is a matter of regret, frustration, alarm and deep concern that this game is being stopped. How is it being stopped? In that region, a small but extremely vocal, loud and reactionary group, afflicted with radical fundamentalism, is campaigning against this game. They exert influence over the local administration, apply pressure, and also threaten and intimidate those who come to play,” Shukla said in her opening remarks.

A friendly match between Swapnachura Club and Zara Sporting Club was scheduled for October 5 in Derai. However, the organisers were forced to cancel it a few hours before kick-off following threats from the group, which reportedly described the women footballers as indecent. The local administration also failed to provide the support needed to hold the match.

Shukla warned that such obstruction would not be allowed to continue in what she described as a new democratic journey towards a discrimination-free Bangladesh. She said the incident was particularly concerning at a time when the government was encouraging girls to take up sports through nationwide initiatives such as Notun Kuri Sports, the DC Cup and the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup. She also noted that Prime Minister’s daughter Zaima Rahman was a former athlete who remained enthusiastic about sports.

Drawing parallels with incidents during the interim period, Shukla cited mob attacks that had halted women’s sporting events in Thakurgaon and Faridpur. Describing women’s football as a “bright star” of Bangladesh sports, she noted that recent achievements, including the country’s lone medal at the Asian Games, had come through girls from remote areas.

“We will not leave any obstruction to any game unchallenged. Wherever girls’ sports are obstructed in Bangladesh, the Women’s Sports Association will protest, will stand by the girls. Nothing will go unchallenged,” Shukla said, adding that the association would submit a memorandum to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the deputy commissioner of Sunamganj and the upazila nirbahi officer of Derai.

Ratna demanded that those responsible for the match’s cancellation be identified and brought to justice. She also called for legislation to protect women’s sports and ensure punishment for those who attempt to obstruct them.