The girl who once set the goalposts on fire is now a goal-scoring machine.

When the curtain fell on the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship in Pokhara the day before yesterday, the Bangladesh team’s dressing room was heavy with disappointment. A lacklustre performance in the final had cost them the title, leaving a bitter taste for players and coaches alike. Yet amid that despondency, one figure shone brightly: Alpi Akter. The teenager from Panchagarh not only finished as the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals but was also awarded the Player of the Tournament, underlining her meteoric rise.

Alpi’s journey to stardom has been far from easy. It is a story of determination shaped by a humble family background and unwavering sibling support. She hails from Ward 4 of Boda Municipality in Panchagarh, where her father, Ataur Rahman, runs a small tea and biscuit stall. Supporting a family on a modest income is challenging enough, and nurturing a daughter’s dream of becoming a professional footballer was once considered almost a luxury.

Early on, societal barriers loomed large. Comments about girls playing football or cutting their hair short came from many quarters, and Alpi’s parents initially wanted her to focus on household duties rather than sports. Yet she found a steadfast ally in her elder brother, Nur Alam. Speaking to Prothom Alo over the phone, he recalled, “People would gossip if she cut her hair. Even our parents were worried, telling her she didn’t need to play. I always explained things to them and supported Alpi unconditionally.”

Alpi’s football journey began in primary school through the Bangamata Gold Cup, though she initially stood between the posts as a goalkeeper rather than leading the attack. “She played as a goalkeeper at Bangamata,” Nur Alam said. Her talent was soon spotted by Mofazzal Hossain Bipul, coach at the Boda To Star Football Academy, who transitioned her into a striker role. Nur Alam recalled, “The school principal would even ride her to the field on his motorbike. Coach Bipul told him, ‘She will go far if you let her join my academy.’”

The coach’s insight proved spot on. After two years as a goalkeeper and youth tournament experience, Alpi moved up the ranks. She became the top striker in Rangpur Division, earned a spot at the national U-16 camp, and launched her international career from there. In the current women’s league in Dhaka, she has already scored 25 goals in 8 matches for Rajshahi Stars, topping the scoring charts.

Alpi’s talents are not confined to football. She is equally adept in sprinting, high jump, long jump, and swimming, with 18 certificates from various competitions to her name. She is also preparing to sit for her SSC exams from Boda Pilot Girls’ School and College.

Though the SAFF U-19 final loss still weighs on her, Alpi remains a symbol of perseverance. “She was disappointed about the final,” Nur Alam said, “but we are immensely proud. Alpi has shown that talent and determination can overcome any obstacle.”

Alpi Akter: Key Achievements

From navigating a modest household and societal pressures to dominating on the football field, Alpi Akter has dribbled past every barrier to become one of South Asia’s finest talents in her age group.