Bangladesh Defender Shiuli Azim Misses Mother’s Funeral

Bangladesh national women’s football team defender Shiuli Azim will remain with her squad in Goa, India, following the death of her mother, Basna Azim. Due to severe flight complications and logistical constraints, the reliable centre-back is unable to travel back to Bangladesh to attend the funeral services or see her mother one last time. The news arrived just ahead of the team’s critical semi-final fixture against Nepal in the Women’s SAFF Championship.

Sudden Bereavement and Team Response

The tragic news reached the Bangladesh camp yesterday at 5:00 am. Basna Azim passed away at the age of 45 due to long-standing kidney complications. Following the announcement, a wave of grief enveloped the national squad, leading to the immediate cancellation of their scheduled 7:00 am training session.

No further training took place throughout the day. In an effort to support Shiuli and manage the emotional distress within the squad, team management arranged a brief visit to the local beach in the afternoon, which Shiuli attended alongside her teammates.

Travel Complications and Logistical Barriers

Bangladesh team manager Khalid Mahmud confirmed that exhaustive efforts were made by management to arrange immediate transport for Shiuli back to Bangladesh. However, the geographical distance and limited flight connectivity from Goa created insurmountable scheduling barriers.

“According to our calculations, if Shiuli were to leave Goa, she would not reach Dhaka until at least 12:00 pm tomorrow,” Mahmud stated. “From Dhaka, it would require an additional three to four hours of road travel to reach her village of Kalsindur in Mymensingh. Because it is impossible to preserve the body for such an extended period, her mother’s funeral rites are being completed today [yesterday] without her.”

While Shiuli remains in India, a representative from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has already travelled to Kalsindur to provide direct support to the grieving family. Basna Azim is survived by three sons and two daughters, including Shiuli.

Tournament Context and Background

Shiuli Azim’s participation in the current SAFF Championship camp had already been hindered by health issues. Upon arriving in Goa, she experienced chest pains, which ruled her out of Bangladesh’s opening match against the Maldives. However, she was fit enough to appear as a substitute in the subsequent match against India.

Shiuli originates from Kalsindur, a remote area within the Dhobaura Upazila of Mymensingh district. Kalsindur has gained prominent recognition in Bangladeshi sports for producing a highly successful cohort of female footballers who have progressed to the national level. Basna Azim had actively supported her daughter’s footballing ambitions despite numerous social and financial adversities.

Key Information Summary

The table below outlines the essential facts regarding Shiuli Azim’s family and her status in the ongoing tournament: