Dhaka, July 7 (V7N) – The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has officially welcomed home the national women's football team after their historic qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the very first time. The team received a celebratory reception early Monday morning at the Hatirjheel Amphitheater in Dhaka, marking a milestone in the country’s football history.
 
The players, including captain Afida Khandakar Pranti and standout forward Rituparna Chakma, returned home around 2:00 a.m., following a flight from Myanmar via Thailand. Upon their arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, they were transported directly to the Hatirjheel venue, where they were greeted with flower bouquets by BFF Executive Committee members at approximately 3:15 a.m..
 
The reception was held at this unusual hour due to a tight travel schedule. Key players Rituparna Chakma and Monika Chakma were scheduled to leave for Bhutan just hours later on Monday morning, while three other players are set to travel abroad within the next two days. BFF stated that holding the event overnight ensured the entire team could be present for the recognition ceremony.
 
The reception featured speeches from several notable figures, including:
 
Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Cultural Affairs Advisor
 
Aminul Haque, former national team captain
 
Mohammad Ejaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation
 
Tabith Awal, President of the Bangladesh Football Federation
 
Afida Khandakar Pranti, team captain
 
Rituparna Chakma, forward
 
Peter Butler, Head Coach of the women's national team
 
The event celebrated not only the team’s qualification but also the growing prominence of women’s football in Bangladesh, which continues to break new ground. The players’ determination and achievements have drawn widespread praise across social media and among sports officials.
 
The team qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after an impressive campaign, showing resilience and tactical strength throughout the qualifying rounds. Their success marks a historic leap forward for women’s sports in the country and is expected to inspire a new generation of female athletes.
 
Further events and media coverage are expected in the coming weeks as the team begins preparation for the next stage of competition on the continental stage.
 
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