Maria Krishna Sabina and one Sheikh Hasina

Tears rolled down my eyes when Krishna Rani Sarkar scored the third goal against Nepal. Couldn't contain my emotions. I guess many like me were overwhelmed with emotions on September 19. There are many doubts, uncertainty and disappointment in Bangladesh right now. Our cricket is stuck in the quicksand of failure. In the meantime, this extraordinary success of our girls is like a heavy rain in the desert. This is not just a SAFF win. I don't see it as just a tournament victory. This victory is a victory against fundamentalism, victory against evil. This victory is the victory of marginalized people. This victory is the victory of indomitable fighting Bengali women. 11 of them seem to have answered many questions. While some people are sleepless about what women should wear. When women are being harassed for their clothes; When teenage girls are choosing to commit suicide in depression; Even in this era, when the path of women is becoming inaccessible again; Sabina, Rupana Chakma, Maria Manda, Krishna Rani Sarkar were like a shinning diamond. It is like they lit a torch and showed the way to all the women of Bangladesh. On the day before the final, Sanjida Akhter wrote on her Facebook, ‘In the final, we will not play on the field as a footballer, eleven fighters will be on the field. Many in the team have come hare after losing their father, taking the last possessions of their mother, selling their sister's ornaments, some being the only support of the family. We are used to fight the battle of life.’ Everyone knows how these women's team have struggled to achieve this, thanks to our media. These women have achieved the impossible. By now we all know how they survived the game despite the formidable conditions. Story of Kalsindur Village, Sabina's Battle in Satkhira. Now we know the story of Moushumi's struggle in Ramjibon village of Pali Chara in Rangpur ignoring the bloodshot eyes of the conservatives. Contributions of ousted coaches like Mofiz Sir of Kalsindur, Coach Milan of Rangpur, Shantimoni Chakma of Rangamati and Birshen are also being discussed on social media. Golam Rabbani Choton raised them like a father, not shying away from the identity of ‘girls' coach’. Since September 19, I have been impressed by reading various articles and features about this in all media of the country. I am overwhelmed with emotion. But unfortunately, most of the media has implied the man behind the rise of women's football. Her name is not in the discussion. But without her, I doubt if our women could play football at all. She is Sheikh Hasina. Why are we so reluctant to take the name of the one who contributed the most to the development of women's football?

 

A few days ago, Kalsindur's daughter Maria Mandar said in an interview to the media, ‘We used to play football for fun. We would not have come this far if the Prime Minister had not started primary school football in her mother's name. At that time, I did not even know that I could earn money and go abroad by playing football. Now I know the value of football. Many people have money but not everyone goes abroad. How many people have the chance to meet the Prime Minister? We met him a few times. She gave us money and adored us.’ From Maria Manda's statement, the background of the rise of women's football in Bangladesh can be found. Her name is Sheikh Hasina. Under her patronage women have brought this honor to the country today. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has paved the way for our indomitable girls.

 

Our politicians have a peculiar disease. Finding his party's share in any achievement. Wants to take all the credit alone. Covers the happy memory in mud while trying to prove its their achievement. For example, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. On September 21, the women's team of Bangladesh returned home winning the SAFF Women's Championship. They were given a royal welcome in an 'open bus'. Meanwhile, Mirza Fakhrul suddenly discovered a new information. He said in a press conference at the BNP Chairperson's office on Wednesday, 'Saff Games women's football was launched by President Ziaur Rahman.' Fakhrul said, 'I saw Dana (Kamrun Nahar Dana) in the newspaper, who was once the head of the Women's Federation. He said, ‘The first tournament started during Begum Zia's government despite many hurdles.’ Readers note, if Zia (who died in 1981) started SAFF Women’s Football, then how did Begum Khaleda Zia, who became Prime Minister in 1991 or 2001, launch the first tournament? How come a politician give such gibberish speech. That is why common people consider their words as entertainment. Are our politicians increasingly turning into comedians? BNP Secretary General has recently been discussed for discovering various information. His Begum Zia laid the foundation stone of the Padma Bridge. Begum Zia was a freedom fighter, or Khaleda Zia's human rights medal - All of these creates a great deal of humor in politics. However, I believe that this information that, Zia is the father of SAFF Women's Football, will cross the borders of Bangladesh and enter the world's comedy store very soon. Because the Women's World Cup first started in 1991, 10 years after Zia's death. Only 12 countries participated in the first Women's World Cup held in China. Women from only three Asian countries participated in the World Cup. The countries are China, Japan and Chinese Taipei. Not only that, before 1986, FIFA, the governing body of football, did not allow women to speak in their meetings. When this is the history of women's football in the world, then Mirza Fakhrul's statement, 'Saff Games women's football was launched by President Ziaur Rahman', might make you confused whether you should laugh or cry. Originally: After the Women's World Cup in 1991, FIFA started the process of globalization of women's football. At one point, FIFA made women's football mandatory for its members. In this context, in 2003, the Bangladesh Football Federation was on the brink. The statement given by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir quoting Kamrun Nahar Dana is also a kind of distortion of information. In 2003, a women's team called BFF XI was formed. A team from West Bengal of India was brought to play a friendly match. But BNP's main ally Jamaat and more fundamentalist organizations threatened against the game. They even surrounded the stadium. As a result, out of three matches, only one took place. The remaining two matches were abandoned as Begum Zia's government surrendered to fanatics and fundamentalists. This is a story that ended before it even begun. How will the government proceed with women's football? War criminals, the top two leaders of the fundamentalists were ministers then. Then women's football was boxed.  Who knows how many Rupna Chakma, Shiuli, Shamsunnahar in the remote areas have given up football with heavy heart and just got married? If Fakhrul talks badly, then no one from the ruling party will behave badly, how is it possible? The Ministry of Sports welcomed the women's football team at the airport. Then the 'open bus' procession. But strange incident happened after they went to BFF. Pushing those away who brought victory, the state minister, secretary and BFF president took the seats. It seemed that these are the ones who just arrived from the Dasharath Rangasala

in Nepal. Sabina was standing in a corner, Choton was like an outside spectator. The press conference in BFF proved once again that some people lose their common sense when they are in power. These officials are not only clueless; they also have no discernment. Who will convince these ignorants that, this is the achievement of Bangladesh, not theirs, not any group’s.

 

Even Sheikh Hasina's worst enemies will admit that she is a sports enthusiast. Wherever Bangladesh has played, the Prime Minister's blessings have reached there. Even now while attending the United Nations General Session in New York, she kept the updates of our Sabina, Rupnas. In 2009, she came to power and took initiatives for improvement in sports as well as other fields. Bangladesh women's football era actually started from 2009. Even then, the fundamentalists were on the rise, there was a threat. But Sheikh Hasina did not condone these threats. On the other hand, in 2010, Bangladesh hosted the SAFF Women's Football Championship in Cox's Bazar. In that tournament, Bangladesh women's team defeated Bhutan by 2-0 goals and Sri Lanka by 9-0 goals. But lost to Nepal in the semi finals. Then since 2011, the Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Gold Cup was launched as a single and personal initiative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This nationwide tournament at the school level was actually the beginning of the awakening of women's football. Today's winners come from different parts of the country. Playing well, the indomitable girls of Bengal are showing one surprise after another. And in this awakening, our Prime Minister has provided immense support from behind. She has given financial support to Bangladesh girls whenever they win including AFC-15, SAFF U19. The Prime Minister gave Tk1 lakh to Tk15 lakh to each member of the women's team at various times. Many pundits say that financial donations are not good. Athletes stumble in it. I saw some people trying to say with the example of cricket that, ‘These girls will not pay attention to the game if they get money. But the Prime Minister knows very well that they are playing football by fighting hard against poverty. Without economic power, they will not be able to move forward.’ Economic freedom is a must for women's freedom. They got strength and courage because of the money given by the Prime Minister. Their family accepted their insistence. Not only monetary donations, Sheikh Hasina gave land to many women footballers like Rupana Chakma. Gave a house as a gift. Valued the daughter's wishes. But life doesn't run on gifts and donations alone. This requires financial assurance. Sabina, Swapna, Monika will be disappointed if they don't take sports as a profession. New Rupana, Shiuli, Masura will not be found. Bashundhara, the country's top industrial group, took an extraordinary initiative in this regard. The Bashundhara Women's Football Team was formed with the personal initiative and enthusiasm of the Chairman of the Bashundhara Group. All 8 of the first eleven of the women's team, who won by a clean sweep, play in the domestic league for Bashundhara Kings. Bashundhara Group has freed these women from the fear of uncertainty. Modern training and facilities have made them dream much greater. The contribution of this large industrial family to this awakening of women's football is immense. The Awami League government has given a structure to women's football since 2009. Gave a vision. School football to domestic leagues to national teams, this format is driving women's team forward. A girl now knows it's not just her hobby or addiction. This is her profession. There is both money and honor in this profession. If this trend continues, women's football in this country will go further.

 

But I don't want to confine this victory of Sabina, Krishna or Maria Manda to the joy of winning just a trophy. This victory has multidimensional significance.

 

See the players of Bangladesh Women's Team. It is like a piece of Bangladesh. People of all religions have come together here. Indigenous of the plain land, indigenous of the hill areas, Bengali all of them together made this team. Just like everyone together is this Bangladesh. These young souls, newly adolescent girls, have uprooted the differences of religion, race and caste. This is the Bangladesh that we dreamed of in 1971. Our slogan of independence was 'Hindu of Bengal, Buddhist of Bengal, Christian of Bengal, Muslim of Bengal.' We are all Bengalis. This team of Maria Manda, Krishna and Sabina is a perfect image of that slogan. When the giant claws of fanatical fundamentalists are out again. When our minority communities count hours in panic before the religious festival. Our women's football team is like a piece of yrad in this Bangladesh of harmony.

 

Another thing about Sabina's team impressed me. They are all marginalized communities. These indomitable girls have come from the villages of Bengal. From a very ordinary Bengali family. Some of their fathers are daily labourers, some are farmers, some are petty traders, some are masons. It was once again understood how invincible the power of this common man is. Just like the liberation war of 1971 was the collective victory of the mutts, laborers, workers, farmers. Their victory is also the same. These marginalized people are our strength. The remote towns of Kalsindur, Rangpur, Satkhira, Rangamati are our Bangladesh. These marginalized people are taking the country forward.

 

These girls swam against the tide. They have come this far by fighting against the odds. They have ignored the so-called order of society. They did not care about the mockery of people. Their aim was steadfast. These girls taught us all a great lesson especially women. Obstacles must be overcome. Victory has to be snatched by conquering adversity. With hard work and persistence, the goal will be achieved. This lesson was taught afresh by Krishna, Rupana, Sapna. Not to commit suicide in a little despair. Not to get frustrated with a little failure. Not to choose the path of self-harm on harsh reprimands or neglect. Rather, defeating them is the true meaning of life. Sanjeeda, Shiuli, Monika also left a message for the parents. My daughter wants to read; I will let her. My daughter wants to touch the sky; I will support her. My daughter wants to sing; I will let her. Will not tell her repeatedly, ‘You are a girl. You have to make a family. Must learn to cook for husband. Must clean husband's clothes and shoes. Whether you like it or not, you have to sleep with your husband. He must be kept happy. Your will is not important. You are a devoted soul for your husband. This is your destination.’ Parents who want to train their daughters in this way, want to make them a 'servant of husband' - Shiuli, Sathi, Ritu is the perfect answer. Let us be generous like the parents of Maria, Rupana, Monika. Give fulfillment to our girls' lives. This victory also gave this message to everyone.

 

I found a strange similarity with the life struggle of these girls with the life of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It is as if they have decided to swim in the opposite direction and reach the golden port. Sheikh Hasina's life is also different. As they have blown the word impossible. Bangabandhu's daughter is like that. Just like they have not given up on neglect and deprivation. Same is the story of Sheikh Hasina. On Wednesday, I heard these girls repeatedly expressing their gratitude to the Prime Minister. All of them were called by the Prime Minister to Ganabhaban at different times. Adored them. Maybe she transmitted her courage and morale to these girls. This September is Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's birthday. 28 September. Before her birthday, the girls who became indomitable by her motivation gave a victory to Bangabandhu's daughter. As Sheikh Hasina dedicated all her achievements for the people of this country. The undefeated also dedicated their victory to the countrymen. The pilgrims of this light are walking on the path shown by Sheikh Hasina. And the destination of that path is Bangladesh for women's liberation.