It’s time to invest more in women’s football

Comparisons between men’s and women’s sports are often ridiculed. Comments like: “Is women’s sports even worth watching?” are not uncommon.

But the reality is that, despite a noticeable increase in audience interest, what awards are women players actually receiving? Leaving developed countries aside, how far can women progress in sports in the context of Bangladesh?

Cricket is undoubtedly the most popular sport in Bangladesh and for good reason. But if you compare the cricket craze with the actual achievements of the national team and compare the attention paid to football with its level of success, a logical question arises: doesn’t football deserve more recognition, especially women’s football?

Even if comparisons are not encouraged, they arise naturally.

If we take only women’s football, the Bangladesh women’s team has won the Saffa Championship twice, also in a row. These fierce tigresses fought valiantly for the crown of South Asia.

The men’s team has won this title only once, back in 2003. Two decades passed without any significant success. However, while men compete in leagues and several tournaments each year, women’s opportunities to compete outside of training camps are severely limited.

Financially, the difference is even more obvious. Female footballers earn far less income than their male counterparts.

In August 2023, 31 national team players signed a six-month contract with the BFF, with the maximum monthly salary set at TKR 50,000. It was reported that the 15 senior players would receive NT$50,000 each, the next 10 players would receive NT$30,000 each, and the remaining six players would receive NT$20,000 per month.

On the contrary, while there is no official data on the monthly earnings of BFF male footballers, their average salary in the domestic league is around 35-40 lakhs per season, which is an average of almost 3 lakhs per month. The difference is noticeable. Reports have also emerged that the BFF has not paid the salaries of members of the SAFF winning women’s team for the past two months, sparking an uproar. Despite all this, women still bring joy to the nation.

During a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on October 31, Chief Counsel spokesman Shafiqul Alam addressed the issue.

Linking the issue to the tenure of recently former BFF President Kazi Salahuddin, he said, “The Advisory Council discussed Bangladesh’s triumph in the SAFF Women’s Football Tournament. Several newspapers have pointed out that the women’s soccer team’s wages have been delayed for two months.”

He added: “This problem dates back to the time of Salahuddin. The salary issue will be resolved promptly. The government is also discussing the wage gap for female athletes in the country. Negotiations are ongoing with the BCB and BFF to ensure equal pay for female athletes. like male players.”

When discussing success, comparisons to cricket are inevitable. Cricketers receive handsome salaries from the board, match fees and participation in franchise tournaments. However, their international success remains questionable. They have not yet managed to win even the Asian Cup trophy.

Male cricketers received a bonus of Rs 3 crore for winning the series against Pakistan, while the women’s football team, voted the best in South Asia, received only Rs 1 crore.

In terms of merit, does men’s cricket even come out on top?

Male cricketers often appear on billboards and television screens, basking in the limelight thanks to lucrative sponsorships. But where are the champions who brought glory back from international tournaments? The question arises: is the marketing potential of men’s cricket truly unmatched? And if so, why?

It is true that cricket has generated significant income through their own efforts: the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is able to offer competitive salaries, bonuses and match fees thanks to funding from the ICC and sponsors. Cricket’s financial influence grew due to the occasional success of its players.

While the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) may not match the BCB’s financial might, it is not completely powerless. This raises questions about their commitment to the development of football, especially women’s football. Likewise, the government must also play a crucial role in supporting and celebrating athletes who bring pride to the country. It is their responsibility to ensure these players have the respect and full support they deserve.

Considering how well Bangladeshi women cope with such limited opportunities, one can only imagine how much more they could achieve with better support. It doesn’t take rocket science to figure this out.

Regular leagues, more tournaments and proper nurturing of talent from all corners of the country coupled with financial stability could allow these players to reach even greater heights. The belief that these women, if given the right opportunities, can bring even more glory to Bangladesh is not far-fetched.

The new leadership of the BFF must understand that football, whether played by men or women, should not be viewed through a gender lens. Instead, the focus should be on rewarding those who bring the most success. After all, when the Bangladesh women’s team won the Saffa Championship, no one thought: “Women have won.” Everyone thought: “Bangladesh has won.”

Whether men or women succeed, ultimately it is a victory for Bangladesh.

That’s why thousands of people gather in the streets to welcome the champions home, and why their triumphs are featured on the front pages of every newspaper. At these moments there is no division between male and female athletes. It’s time to give women equal opportunity and support, and that time is now.

The path was paved by the achievements of these women who, despite many difficulties, showed what true grit and dedication can achieve. Now it’s up to the authorities and sponsors. They must step forward to recognize these champions and ensure that the future brings not only glory but fair rewards to all athletes, regardless of gender.