The SAFF Champion women’s football team engaged in a warm and open discussion with Interim Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus over breakfast, according to Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan.
On Saturday, November 2, Dr. Yunus invited the team to breakfast, where the SAFF champions shared their concerns and experiences directly. The players raised issues related to accommodation, training conditions, and the need for revisions to their salary structure. Dr. Yunus listened attentively and advised the players to submit a written document detailing their concerns, which they promised to provide promptly.
When asked about Dr. Yunus’s response, Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud stated, “Sir (Dr. Yunus) encouraged them greatly and emphasized the importance of maintaining their winning streak.”
In a gesture of appreciation, the players presented Dr. Yunus with a signed jersey from each player and a football, Asif Mahmud added.
Questions were raised about the absence of any assistant coaches or Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials at the event. Asif Mahmud explained that the invitation was extended based on a list of 25 names he had received, which did not include the assistant coach. He also noted that the BFF president was out of the country.
Highlighting the priority given to athletes in the sports sector, Asif Mahmud stated, “The players are the main stakeholders in sports and will be prioritized. Until now, committee members often received the primary benefits.”
Asif Mahmud acknowledged that the players’ salaries had been delayed by two months. He assured that discussions would be held with the newly formed BFF committee to resolve the issue and prevent similar problems in the future.