For the first time in the country’s history, Bangladesh’s women’s football team has qualified for the final round of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Following this historic achievement, the Bengal Tigresses were welcomed back home with a reception held at midnight. However, the celebration stage saw no announcement of rewards — not even a single promise was made to the players.
In contrast, India presented a completely different picture. After performing impressively in the same qualifying round and securing a spot in the main event, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a cash reward of $50,000 for the Indian women’s team — over 6.1 million Bangladeshi Taka. In addition, India’s women footballers also received a warm reception upon returning home.
On Sunday night (July 6), at 1:30 AM, upon the women’s team’s arrival in Bangladesh, they were taken straight from the airport to the amphitheater in Hatirjheel, where the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) organized a grand reception. The crowd, dignitaries, and fans showered the team with praise. The event featured eye-catching billboards, digital banners, stage lighting, and a festive atmosphere — everything except a declaration of any award as a token of recognition.
Though no prize was announced, BFF President Tabith Awal pledged continued support for the women’s football team. He stated,
“We were with the women’s team, and we will remain so in the future. We believe in you and promise to stand by your side.”
