Bangladesh women's football in dilemma!

For the last few days, Bangladesh women's football has seen an unprecedented situation as the booters abandoned the practice session of head coach Peter James Butler and declared that they would rather say goodbye to the sport than accept Butler as their coach. 

The English coach and the disciples had some problems before. However, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) did not take the matter seriously. If the matter was dealt with soon, the current situation could be avoided. 

It is understandable that the footballers who won the SAFF Women's Championship twice in a row had so much pride in accepting that some changes in their playing style, everyday lifestyle, and ultimately their health were to be made. 

That is what the Englishman tried to do. He wanted to make some changes to the playing style, formation and the best XI. That was the first blow to the pride of the golden women. 

The footballers used to enjoy more freedom under coach Golam Rabbani Choton who was a fatherly figure to them. But things changed in the Butler era as he focused more on discipline. Not many in the camp liked that. 

Also, the coach instructed many of the champion women to work on fitness. It was not incorrect to say that a few of them lost their form and fitness after winning their first SAFF Championship. This was another blow to the pride of them. 

They announced that they would not join the practice session under this coach. 

What was the final blow? Was it that the coach continued his practice and commented that he would rely on those who joined the practice and the juniors of the under-20 team? The answer is a big NO.
 
The answer lies elsewhere. The crisis reached its climax months back when the women returned with the second trophy of the SAFF Women's Championship. Reports were coming about the disagreement and issues between the coaches and disciples then. 

However, BFF kept completely silent and did nothing to solve the issue. No measures were taken even after the women raised the issue to the then BFF president Kazi Salahuddin and women's wing chief Mahfuza Akter Kiron. Instead, the Federation renewed the contract with the coach. 

Players' comfort is a vital factor in doing well. But it is also not justifiable that the players act unprofessional and feel like they can do anything they want or overthrow the coaching staff. 

It was BFF's responsibility to deal with the issue, and seat with both sides soon after returning from Nepal following the win. 

Now, Bangladesh is a little short in time as it is scheduled to go to the United Arab Emirates to play a FIFA friendly on 26 February and an unofficial match on 2 March. Things need to be solved shortly.