This trophy is for the people of Bangladesh: Sabina

On Thursday, the outside of the Hatirjheel Amphitheater buzzed with the city’s usual end-of-the-week hustle and bustle, but inside, it was full of a different kind of excitement in the presence of Bangladesh's SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship winning members. 

Having emerged unbeaten champions in the inaugural edition, Bangladesh women's futsal team returned home from Thailand yesterday evening and were given a warm reception by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) at Hatirjheel Amphitheater on Thursday night. 

Sabina and Co arrived at Hatirjheel at around 8:15pm, paraded the trophy around the area for the fans and then entered the amphitheater where a few hundred enthusiastic fans were waiting for them.

With the iconic song “We are the champions” playing on the background, one by one, the footballers and team officials entered the fray and were received by the BFF officials with flowers. Then finally, captain Sabina entered the scene with the glittering trophy amid a huge roar from the spectators.

”We are grateful to you [fans] for your presence today. The way you always support us when we bring laurels for the nation is a really big motivation for us. So, this achievement is for you and we want to dedicate this trophy to you,” said Sabina in her speech.

“After every win, we saw on social media how passionate you are towards the development of football. It motivated us. This trophy is for you and the country’s people,” said Sabina, who played a key role behind the triumph by netting tournament highest 14 goals from six matches.

Iranian coach Saeid Khodarhmi also heaped praises on Sabina, who had also led Bangladesh to the SAFF Women’s Championship title twice.

“Bangladesh started playing futsal five months ago and I think it has good potential in Bangladesh,” Saeid said. “I think you have one player that is not available in Iran, even in Asian futsal. She is captain Sabina.”

Having thanked all members of the women’s futsal team for delivering another trophy to the nation, BFF president Tabith Awal said, “I want to congratulate captain Sabina, who is probably the country’s first athlete to win two separate trophies in two different format. I doubt whether anyone can break this record. We must remember her name for decades.”

Tabith also thanked all sponsors for their invaluable support for the women’s football team.

BFF Futsal committee chairman Imran Hossian urged the government, BFF and corporate houses to provide them an exclusive futsal ground so that they could deliver further good results in the coming days.

Selim Fakir, joint secretary of Youth and Sports Ministry, said that he would carry the demands of the footballers to the high-ups of the government.