The federations traditionally mark Victory Day with friendly matches, but this year the Football Federation introduced a refreshing change by including former women footballers alongside the men’s game.
Former Women Footballers Return to the Field
In previous editions, only retired male players featured in Victory Day exhibition matches. This time, however, former women footballers were also given the spotlight. Although the number of retired female players is limited—many now focused on family life or careers outside football—the match became a moment of nostalgia and pride.
Former footballer and athlete Khurshida Khatun Khushi, now known as an athletics coach, was among those who laced up their boots again. For many participants, the match was a chance to reconnect with the early struggles and passion that shaped women’s football in Bangladesh.
“𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆,” 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅.
The 30-minute women’s exhibition match ended with the Green Team securing a narrow 1–0 win, courtesy of Sraboni’s decisive goal. Familiar faces such as Mahmuda Khatun Aditi, Umme Hafsa Rumki, Suravi Akhter, and Reshma Khatun once again showcased their skills, each touch echoing stories from the pioneering days of the sport.
Men’s Match Adds Spark to Victory Day Celebrations
Following the women’s game, a 45-minute men’s exhibition match entertained the crowd. The Green Team edged past the Red Team 4–2 in a lively contest filled with flair and excitement. Wali Faisal’s curling left-footed free-kick drew loud applause, while former national captain Zahid Hasan Ameli, wearing his iconic number 10 jersey, reminded fans of his golden days.
Yet, the true charm of the event went beyond goals and results. Former players attended with their families, sharing laughter, memories, and stories from the past. Current women’s national team stars Rupna Chakma, Swapna Rani, Tahura Khatu,n and Umela Marma were also present, symbolizing the bridge between earlier struggles and today’s achievements.
“𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉—𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔,” 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Ansar emerged champions in both men’s and women’s categories of the Victory Day Handball competition, clinching their sixth women’s title and first men’s crown, adding further joy to the day’s celebrations.
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