Open top bus ready to welcome SAFF champions

For the second time in two years, the Bangladesh women’s football team has written a victory story. On Wednesday, Sabina, Rituparna, Tohura and their teammates defeated Nepal at Dasarath Stadium in Kathmandu to win the SAFF Championship title. Now that another victory has been achieved in football, preparations are in full swing to honor the women’s team. An open-top bus has already arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

In 2022, the Bangladeshi women enjoyed their first SAFF victory at the same venue, beating Nepal. At the time, the team was also escorted from the airport to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) headquarters in an open-top bus, although this was not initially planned. The bus was arranged in response to a Facebook message from midfielder Sanjida Akter about the party with the open bus. This time too, the women’s football team reminded the officials about the event.

The Bangladeshi team, crowned champions of South Asia, will land in Dhaka at 2.15 pm. The open-top bus was taken to the airport well in advance, with floral decorations starting around 12:45 p.m. Several BFF officials have already gathered at the airport to welcome the champions.

Last time, many football fans gathered at the airport to welcome Sabina and her team, although the attendance seems smaller this year. The team will travel from the airport to the BFF building, where new BFF President Tabith Awal and sports advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan will be present. There the women’s team will be honored and Coach Peter Butler and Captain Sabina Khatun will address the media.

Despite entering this year’s SAFF as defending champions, Bangladesh got off to a rocky start. They drew 1–1 in the opening match against Pakistan, but quickly regained their form and defeated India 3–1 in their second match to top their group and advance to the semi-finals.

In the semi-final, Bangladesh put on a goal show and defeated Bhutan by a wide margin of 7-1. Tohura scored a hat-trick, captain Sabina scored twice and Rituparna and Shiuli Azam scored a goal each. The Bangladeshi side maintained their dominance in the final too, leaving Nepal in despair and celebrating their title with jubilation under the leadership of Butler.

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