Bangladesh Women to Hold Overseas Camp Ahead of SAFF

Bangladesh women’s national football team are set to undertake an overseas training camp ahead of the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship in Goa, as the reigning champions prepare for a historic bid to secure a third consecutive South Asian title.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is currently finalising plans to send the squad, featuring key players such as Rituparna Chakma and Maria Manda, to either China or Thailand for a two-week high-performance conditioning camp. The tournament is scheduled to begin on 25 May in Goa, India.

Overseas preparation in planning stage

BFF Vice-President Fahad Karim confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding the foreign training destination, although no final decision has yet been made between China and Thailand.

“We are planning a two-week camp in either Thailand or China,” he said while speaking to journalists in Gulshan on Wednesday. “Since it is outside the FIFA international window, arranging competitive matches against national teams will not be possible. However, we are trying to organise practice matches against local clubs during the camp.”

He added that negotiations were underway to secure suitable opposition for friendly fixtures during the overseas stay, which is expected to play a crucial role in match preparedness.

Domestic phase before departure

Before heading abroad, the team will undergo a short domestic preparation phase. According to BFF plans, the squad will hold a 10-day training camp in Chattogram, focusing on physical conditioning, tactical drills, and squad coordination.

Following the Chattogram camp, the players will return to Dhaka for two days of final training sessions before departing for the overseas camp. Once abroad, the squad will not return to Bangladesh prior to the tournament.

The team is expected to travel directly from their overseas camp to Goa on either 21 or 22 May, depending on final scheduling arrangements.

Preparation timeline overview

Title defence and rising expectations

Bangladesh enter the competition as defending champions, having won the last two editions of the SAFF Women’s Championship. With momentum on their side, the team now faces the opportunity to complete a rare hat-trick of regional titles.

This year’s tournament will feature six participating nations, as Pakistan will not be part of the competition. The reduced field is expected to intensify competition among the remaining teams, all of whom will be aiming to challenge Bangladesh’s recent dominance in South Asian women’s football.

Earlier overseas camp plans unfulfilled

The BFF had previously considered foreign training camps ahead of both the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup. However, those plans ultimately did not materialise due to logistical and scheduling constraints.

Officials now appear determined to ensure that this pre-SAFF preparation plan is successfully implemented, viewing it as a critical step in maintaining the team’s competitive edge at regional level.

Focus on continuity and performance

Football analysts note that sustained international exposure and structured preparation could be key factors in Bangladesh’s continued success in women’s football. The proposed overseas camp is expected to provide players with higher-intensity training environments and improved tactical development opportunities.

With expectations rising and a third consecutive SAFF title within reach, Bangladesh’s women’s team will be aiming to convert their structured preparation into another strong tournament performance in Goa next month.