The year 2024 was a memorable year for the people of Bangladesh. The year had witnessed major shifts in different sectors following a mass uprising that led to the resignation and fleeing of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Changes took place in the sporting arenas as well.
The historic year instigated some changes while others took place in its natural way. In addition, the football arena in the country saw a number of improvements, changes, downgrades and accomplishments during the historic year.
If one wants to talk about Bangladesh football this year, the victorious Bangladesh Woman Footballers and their retention of the SAFF Women's Championship title are two things that must be mentioned.
Victorious Women retain SAFF trophy
In October, the Bangladesh women's national football team kept the trophy of the SAFF Women's Championship 2024 with a 2-1 hard-fought victory over the host Nepal in the final at the Dasharath Rangasala in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Previously, Bangladesh lifted its maiden trophy of the SAFF Women's Championship following a 3-1 win over the same opponent in the final in September 2022. With the retention of the trophy, they proved that their first-time victory was not a fluke at all.
This time, Bangladesh played 1-1 with Pakistan in its tournament opening match and beat India 3-1 in the last group match. In the semifinal, Bangladesh thrashed Bhutan 7-1.
Women Accord Warm Reception The Bangladesh women's football team was given a warm reception for its great achievement. After winning the trophy for the second time, the champions returned to the airport, rode an open-top bus and reached the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) House to be greeted warmly. Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, the adviser for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, came to the BFF House on that day to welcome the women. Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus also hosted a reception for the women for winning the South Asian crown.
Sports Ministry, Bangladesh Olympic Association and Bangladesh Cricket Board also accorded them reception and awarded cash prizes for their outstanding success.
However, the women are still waiting for the promised cash prize from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
Young lads and ladies celebrated a colourful year In addition to the senior women's team, Bangladesh won the South Asian age group titles. Bangladesh young ladies won the SAFF Under-19 and Under-16 events while the young lads won their maiden title in the under-20 event.
Success in under-19 event Bangladesh became the joint champions of the SAFF Under-19 Women's Championship in February 2024. India and Bangladesh were declared joint champions of the event on February 8.
Bangladesh and India locked horns in the final at the Shaheed Bir Shreshtha Sepoy Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on the day. There, India took the lead on Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam's early goal before Sagorika equalised for the hosts in injury time to take it into penalties. After an extraordinary shoot-out which remained locked at 11-11 as every single player on the pitch converted their penalties, the referee decided to toss the coin to determine the champions. Although India won the coin toss, the verdict was later reversed because the coin toss formula was deemed unsuitable in the event. The award was split after over two hours of waiting.
Victory in the under-16 event The Bangladesh women's team won the SAFF Under-16 Championship in March after defeating India 3-2 in a penalty shootout in Nepal.
Young boys' success Maiden title of boys' U-20 tournament Bangladesh also won its first-ever SAFF Under-20 Championship title beating host Nepal by 4-1 goals in the final in Nepal in August. Salahuddin era ended as Tabith becomes President Kazi M Salahuddin, a legendary footballer and a sports superstar of the country, left the BFF House as the president this year after 16 years. A former vice-president and a renowned Football organiser Tabith Awal replaced Salahuddin as the president after winning the election.
In 2008, Salahuddin was elected BFF president for the firth time. Following four terms as president, he once more stated his intention to run in the 2024 election. However, he later changed his mind.
Tabith Awal ultimately faced FM Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury from Dinajpur in the much-anticipated polls on 26 October. Syed Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir and Shafiqul Islam Manik, both former great footballers, were defeated in the vice-presidential election. Two newbies, Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy and Sabbir Aref surprised everyone by defeating the two former football stars.
Bangladesh Premier League So many has changed over the months in the Football arena. Bangladesh Premier League also experienced some changes. Old horses are returning to form while local Football is getting its former glory back to some extent.
Mohammedan and Abahani return to the traditional form Since no clubs are receiving preferential treatment this time, the teams are eager to improve in order to advance. Another good news for the local football fans is that both Mohammedan Sporting Club and Abahani are returning to their traditional forms. While Mohammedan is leading the table from the top, its arch-rival Abahani is in third place and looking forward to a scope to move up. In the past few years, Mohammedan SC could not form good teams due to a lack of support, financially and in other ways. From the last season, a change was seen in the club management as some former booters and officials came forward to take hold of the club and ensure its improvement. This season, more changes were seen in the club as the management was able to form a better team. Youngbloods were given preference while forming the squad. That decision ultimately came in handy.
Sk Russel and Sk Jamal opt out of BPL
Due to a sponsorship issue, the top two football clubs in the country, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, have withdrawn from the current Bangladesh Premier Football League. The two were enjoying the financial support of a corporation over the years. But they are not getting the support this time.
Both clubs ultimately made the decision not to play in the league, despite early discussions and agreements with the footballers.
Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society flying high Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society, an Old Dhaka football team, is doing much better in the current football season compared to its performances in the previous seasons. While they used to escape relegation somehow in the past seasons, the Old Dhaka boys are leading the point table with tremendous performances and results this time.
Bashundhara King's unpleasant experience
Bashundhara Kings which won its fifth successive BPL trophy as well as the treble failed to keep its performance up at the end of the year. It was unexpected for a club with such strong financial backups.
In the new season, in BPL, Bashundhara Kings lost two out of five league matches. The club did not lose two matches in one league since their promotion to the BPL.
Federation Cup It is simply too early to determine the future of Federation Cup football. There are still several matches remaining in the group stage. However, in the group phase, some clubs outperformed others. Especially, Fortis FC, Gopibagh's Brothers Union, and Bashundhara Kings are leading in Group-A while Rahmatganj MFS, Mohammedan, and Dhaka Abahani are leading Group-B.
Hamza to be in the red and green outfits
A piece of true good news for Bangladeshi football fans came at the end of the year when Hamza Choudhury, an English football player of Bangladeshi descent, received official approval to play for the Bangladesh national team. This was after FIFA gave the midfielder permission to wear the red and green jersey on the international level.
The Hamza issue has lingered in FIFA for a long time. Finally, with FIFA's clearance, Hamza's wish to play for Bangladesh is coming true.
Women's Football League Nasrin Sporting Club lifted the trophy of the 2023-24 Bangladesh Women's Football League in May 2024. The Dhaka-based club won the maiden title with 22 points from eight matches. ARB College Sporting Club, a Noakhali-based club, finished runner-up of the event with 19 points while Bangladesh Army Football Team Women finished third with 18 points from as many matches. It was the sixth edition of the women's league.
JFA U-14 Women's Youth Development The final round of the JFA Under-14 Women's Youth Development Programme 2024 had taken place in Rajshahi. In the final, Rajshahi outplayed Rangamati 2-0 and became the champion.
Bangladesh 2.0 Challenge Cup Launched The Bangladesh 2.0 Challenge Cup, a new domestic football event, kicked off the new season this year. Bashundhara Kings won the inaugural title, defeating Mohammedan at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.
Swadhin Bangla Football team's Zakaria Pintoo died The first captain of the 'Swadhin Bangla Football Team Zakaria Pintoo died on 18 November. Bangladesh's sports community was deeply saddened by the passing of the country's first captain. The freedom fighter was given the Guard of Honour.
Senior men passed an unsuccessful year It was a disappointing season for the senior men's football team. Playing eight matches, the senior men lost six matches and won two only. They won over Bhutan and the Maldives in two FIFA-friendly matches. Bangladesh lost four matches in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers this year and scored zero goals there.
No improvement in men's ranking Bangladesh men's team started the year as the 183rd in the FIFA World Ranking, published on 15 February 2024. They concluded the year as the 185th in the ranking issued on 19 December 2024. No advancement of men at all this year.
Women's ranking improved Bangladesh women's footballers were able to improve their ranking slightly this year. The Tigresses were the 140th team in the year's first FIFA Women's Ranking published on 24 March 2024. They finished the year as the 132nd team in the women's football world as per the ranking announced on 13 December.
There is plenty we may say about what was done, what could have been done, and what should not have been done. But what is more important for our football is how much we improved throughout the course of the year. If we want to break through and reach beyond the South Asian level, we must think ahead, plan carefully, and facilitate and teach our footballers, coaches, and referees. Otherwise, we will be trapped in the same pothole over and over.
