“Tahura, Maria, and Monika will take to the field in Farashganj, accompanied by foreign players as well.”

The Bangladesh Women’s Football League is set to resume in just two days, and Forashganj Sporting Club has made a spectacular impact on the final day of player transfers. On Friday, the club confirmed the signing of five national women’s football stars: Tahura Khatun, Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Shamsunnahar Senior, and Shamsunnahar Junior. In addition, two foreign players have also been registered, signalling Forashganj’s ambition to challenge for the top honours this season.

Babu Ram, the club’s manager, confirmed the signings and expressed confidence in the team’s strengthened roster. Tahura Khatun herself has acknowledged that she will be representing Forashganj this season. The club has also included several promising players from the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams, further bolstering their squad.

Adding an international dimension, Forashganj has secured contracts with two Nepali national women’s team players: defender Pooja Rana and midfielder Sabita Rana Magar. The club has also recruited Sejutiki, previously a futsal goalkeeper, to fill the crucial goalkeeping position.

The coaching structure is equally robust, with Kamal Ahmed Babu serving as the coaching advisor and Abu Faisal appointed as head coach. The club has finalised a 35-member squad, which Babu described as “well-prepared and capable of fighting for a place in the final.”

For comparison, other clubs have also strengthened their squads: Rajshahi Stars have added Afida Khondkar, Rituporna Chakma, and Shiuli Azim, while Police Club has enlisted Under-20 national team stars Mosammat Sagrika, Kohati Kisku, Surma Jannat, and Airin Akter.

The women’s league last took place in mid-2024, with Nasrin Sports Academy claiming the championship. After a hiatus of one and a half years, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has hastily organised this season’s league to prepare players for upcoming international competitions. Next March, the senior women’s team will compete in the Asian Cup in Australia, followed by the Under-20 Asian Cup in Thailand, where players such as Sagrika and Munki Akter will be key participants.

This season’s league will feature 11 teams, with all matches scheduled to be held at the Bir Sreshtho Shaheed Sipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur, promising an exciting return for women’s football in Bangladesh.