Female footballers set for salary raise

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is planning to raise the salary of women footballers following a request from the women's national team members to BFF president Kazi Salahuddin.

The poor salaries and benefits of women footballers came under spotlight after the SAFF Championship success in September last year. The game's local game governing body informed that the national team members are paid between Tk 6000 and Tk 20,000 under different categories, with only captain Sabina Khatun getting the maximum amount.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

"The girls placed some requirements to me, which I think are absolutely valid. They demanded Tk 50,000 salary per month, international match fees, improved food and quality boots. We used to give them Tk 10,000 as allowance previously," Salahuddin told reporters at his office yesterday.

"We did not get these things during our playing career but it doesn't mean they (girls) won't get it. We are working on it and discussing with different people to arrange the fund," Salahuddin said. "I think they should get Tk 35 to 40 thousand per month."

Meanwhile, the BFF chief expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance of the men's team, who are set to play a tri-nation tournament involving Brunei and Seychelles in Sylhet in next month.

"The performance of the national team depends on clubs' training and performance. I have seen the games and some national players of some clubs seem unfit to me. It is a fault of the clubs and club coaches," Salahuddin said. "So, if we want good results of the national team, we have to see the results of the clubs in the AFC Cup. Then, you can judge whether the national team will play well or not."