The biggest success in football came through the women’s team, as Sabina and her squad became South Asian champions for the second consecutive time. The date was October 30, and on that evening, the team and Bangladesh celebrated their biggest success of the year. In age-group football, there were some successes, but outside of that, struggles persisted. The men’s football team ended the year with just two wins and three goals scored in their statistics.
Outside of football, the Olympics, as always, remained about mere participation. The Paris Olympics were filled with controversy for Bangladesh.
In 2024, changes touched many aspects of Bangladesh’s sports scene. In the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), the long-serving president Kazi Salahuddin was replaced by Tabith Awal. After years of speculation, Hamza Chowdhury, a player for the English Premier League’s Leicester City, was finally cleared to play for Bangladesh.
Women’s Football Success
While the tournament ended on a high, the journey wasn’t smooth. After an unexpected draw against Pakistan, the team faced controversy, particularly with coach Peter James Butler’s alleged preference for senior players. The mission to retain the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship crown seemed uncertain. However, the tension eased quickly as Bangladesh defeated India 3-1 in their next match, topping their group. They later demolished Bhutan 7-1 in the semifinals, securing their spot in the final. In the final, a 2-1 win against Nepal clinched their second consecutive title.
Monika Chakma, who sparked the controversy earlier, led the team in the final, scoring a vital goal. Rituparna Chakma’s powerful shot in the 81st minute sealed the victory. Bangladesh’s dominance in South Asian women’s football was evident, with Rituparna named the best player and Rupna Chakma named the best goalkeeper. The team celebrated their achievement with a grand parade upon returning home.
Age-Group Successes
In age-group football, Bangladesh had two notable victories this year. In March, the U-16 women’s team triumphed over India in a nail-biting penalty shootout (3-2) to win the SAFF Championship. Goalkeeper Yarjan Begum’s three spectacular saves in the final were pivotal. In August, the U-20 men’s team made history by winning the SAFF Championship, defeating Nepal 4-1 in the final. Mirazul Islam scored four goals in the tournament, earning the MVP award.
Changes at the Helm of BFF
On October 26, a shift in leadership took place at the BFF as Tabith Awal replaced Kazi Salahuddin as president. Awal, a former footballer, businessman, and politician, took over the role, but his tenure so far has lacked significant impact. The quality of venues for the league and Federation Cup was questioned, and decisions regarding the future of coaches Javier Cabrera and Peter James Butler were still pending.
Hamza Chowdhury’s Arrival
After a year and a half of effort, Hamza Chowdhury, a Bangladesh-origin English footballer, was finally given the green light to play for Bangladesh. On December 19, the Bangladesh Football Federation announced that FIFA had cleared his status to play. This 26-year-old midfielder, who plays for Leicester City, will likely make his debut in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India in March 2024.
FIFA Ranking Struggles
Despite Hamza’s arrival, Bangladesh’s FIFA ranking remains in poor shape, finishing the year at 185th. With only two wins in 8 official FIFA-sanctioned matches this year, the team struggled. Their victories were against Bhutan and the Maldives, and they couldn’t score in any other matches. Women’s football, however, saw improvement, moving up seven spots to 132nd.
Failure at the Paris Olympics
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Bangladesh participated in athletics, swimming, archery, and shooting. However, there were no inspiring stories, only controversies. In swimming, Sonia Khatun finished 64th, and Samiul Islam Rafee failed to qualify. Archery’s Mohamed Sagar Islam was eliminated in the first round, and shooter Rabiul Islam finished 43rd out of 49 competitors. In athletics, Imranur Rahman was also eliminated early, finishing 25th in the 100m sprint. Rahman later revealed that he had participated despite an injury, due to pressure from the Athletics Federation. Journalists investigating the issue faced hostility from officials.
Chess and Archery Highlights
In chess, 14-year-old Monon Reza Nirod set a new record as Bangladesh’s youngest International Master, surpassing the previous record held by Grandmaster Niaz Morshed. Meanwhile, archery had its share of ups and downs. Star archer Roman Sana announced his retirement in March, accusing the federation of mistreatment before reversing his decision. In October, controversy arose when archer Mohammad Hakim Ahmed Rubel was accused of fleeing to the United States, a claim that was later confirmed.
Despite some noteworthy successes, Bangladesh’s sports landscape in 2024 was a mixture of achievements and controversies. From the rise of women’s football to ongoing challenges in other sports, the year was marked by moments of glory and frustration alike.
