Sports Desk- The Bangladesh women’s national football team has officially left for Goa, India, on a high-stakes mission to secure their third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship trophy.
The highly anticipated regional tournament is scheduled to kick off in Goa this coming Monday. Having won back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2024, the red-and-green brigade enters the field this year with their sights set firmly on a historic hat-trick.
Ahead of the tournament, coach Peter Butler’s squad completed an intensive two-week preparation camp at the Alpine Football Training Camp in Bangkok, Thailand. Following the successful camp, the team—including key players like Ritu Porna Chakma and Rupna Chakma—departed directly from Bangkok to Goa on Thursday morning (May 21).
Physically and Mentally Prepared
In a video message shared by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) right before departure, star winger Ritu Porna Chakma expressed immense confidence in the squad’s readiness.
“We trained incredibly hard for two weeks in intense heat and sunny conditions in Thailand. Everyone in the team is fully prepared now,” Ritu Porna stated. “Our main objective is to retain the title, and we will give our absolute best on the field.
The team is in great shape both physically and mentally. The two practice matches we played during the camp will be highly beneficial for us in the main tournament.”
Seeking support and prayers from fans back home, she added, “My only request to the nation is to keep supporting us just as you always have.
Your love and encouragement give us extra motivation on the field. We will do everything we can to bring home another trophy and make everyone proud.”
The Tournament Schedule
The defending champions will launch their group-stage campaign on May 29 against the Maldives. Following the opener, Bangladesh will face rivals and tournament hosts India in a high-voltage clash on May 31.
English head coach Peter James Butler feels the Bangkok training camp served as a crucial learning experience for the team. Expressing his gratitude to the federation, Butler remarked, “I am highly thankful to the BFF officials. It was due to their sincere efforts that we secured such an excellent training facility in Thailand.
This camp was like a breath of fresh air for the squad. While we picked up many positive points, we also noticed a few areas that need work. In reality, you always learn more from your mistakes than your successes. Overall, it was a fantastic camp.”