The Bangladesh Women's Sports Association has protested the cancellation of a women's football match in Dirai, Sunamganj, following objections from a group citing religious concerns, and demanded that the match be organised promptly with adequate security for the players.
Association President Barrister Sarwat Siraj said the organisation would stand beside women facing barriers to playing sports anywhere in the country.
She made the remarks at a press conference at the conference room of the Ria Gop Women's Sports Complex in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, this afternoon (11 October).
The friendly match, scheduled for 5 October, was to feature female players from a sports academy in Sylhet and Swapnochura Sporting Club, which had invited the team to Dirai. However, the match could not take place after a group opposed it on religious grounds, according to Rakib Ahmed Bhuiyan, president and coach of Swapnochura Sporting Club.
Organisers say pressure forced cancellation
Rakib Ahmed Bhuiyan told the press conference that the match had been planned as part of preparations for a programme organised by the club. The organisers had informed the upazila administration verbally and submitted a written application seeking permission.
On the night of 4 October, however, the administration informed him that a group had demanded the cancellation of the match, citing religious concerns.
He said attempts to reach a compromise with the objecting group on the administration's advice had failed. The next morning, the administration told him that the situation was beyond its control and that he would be held responsible if an accident occurred during the match.
The opposing group also warned the organisers not to approach the field, he added.
"I did not want to cancel the match. But because of repeated phone calls from intelligence agency members and the overall situation, I stopped the arrangements," Rakib said.
Shabana, captain of Swapnochura Sporting Club, expressed disappointment over the cancellation.
"How will girls progress in football if they face such obstacles? We continue playing despite criticism from our families and society. We had been preparing for 15 days to play against the Sylhet team. But on the night of 4 October, we learnt that the match would not take place," she said.
Shabana added that they had heard threats of attacks against the players and their coach if they attempted to play.
She said girls in the haor region face numerous obstacles to participating in sports. Some travel by boat, while others walk long distances to reach the field. Many continue playing despite family and financial difficulties.
After overcoming so many barriers to progress, they had not expected to face such a situation, she added.
Association calls for investigation and accountability
Bangladesh Women's Sports Association General Secretary Sharmin Akter Ratna said it was worrying that fundamentalist behaviour was narrowing opportunities for girls to participate in sports.
Despite significant achievements by women in Bangladesh's sporting arena, female athletes continue to face barriers, she said.
Criticising attempts to equate a football match with obscenity, Ratna said that protests and organising sporting events alone would not be enough. Those responsible for creating such obstructions must also be held accountable.
She called for a proper investigation and justice, and demanded scrutiny of the social and institutional positions of those responsible.
'Ensure safety and a dignified environment'
Sarwat Siraj said female players from Swapnochura Sporting Club in Sunamganj's haor region had overcome numerous obstacles to compete at the national level and bring honour to their district.
Grassroots clubs provide pathways for girls to join national teams and play for various institutions, she said. The government and relevant organisations must therefore provide institutional support to promote women's participation in sports.
Calling for the cancelled match to be arranged soon, she said, "We want the match to take place with public participation in a dignified environment, with security ensured. We seek the cooperation of the administration and everyone concerned."
She also urged journalists, media professionals and influential social media personalities to speak out against such incidents.
Siraj said the association would not allow attempts to prevent girls from participating in sports to go unchallenged.
"Wherever girls are prevented from playing sports in the country, the Bangladesh Women's Sports Association will stand beside them," she said.