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Rousing pageantry resounded all the way as back-to-back SAFF Women’s Championship-winning Bangladesh national team returned to a hero’s welcome on Thursday after veritably scaling the Everest in Nepal.

Peter James Butler’s charges beat hosts Nepal 2-1 in Wednesday’s final to emerge unbeaten champions at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, a venue where they lifted their maiden  title of the competition in 2022 by beating the same opponent 3-1. 

Midfielder Monika Chakma and forward Ritu Porna Chakma scored one goal each for Bangladesh, while forward Amisha Karki pulled one goal back for Nepal. 

This year’s success also proved that their first title was not a fluke, as some had argued, but rather a testament to their skills and resilience. 

Ritu Porna was awarded the title of the Most Valuable Player, while Rupna Chakma received the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award for the second consecutive time.  

The triumphant women landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 2:15pm where Bangladesh Football Federation officials received them with bouquets and heartfelt congratulations.

The players’ then proudly displayed the SAFF trophy to thousands of fans flocked during their victory parade on an elegantly decorated open-deck bus that travelled through the streets of the capital. 

Bangladesh captain Sabina Khatun and coach Peter Butler talked to the press outside the airport before boarding the bus to start the victory parade. 

‘It seems we are feeling the same joy that we felt after winning the trophy for the first time,’ said an overwhelmed Sabina.

Butler, who announced his resignation before the final, said, ‘It’s not the fact that we won it; it’s the fact that how we won it. We won it playing really good football, beginning from day one... I promised I’d bring SAFF, and I’ve delivered on that promise.’

As the team reached the BFF headquarters, youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan welcomed the players and awarded Tk 1 crore to the team as a winning bonus. 

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus will accord a reception to the team at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday. 

However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board congratulated the entire team and announced a Tk 20 lakh award to the women’s football team in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

This win also provided opportunities for the people to celebrate and alleviate anxiety over the country’s sociopolitical and economic conditions under Professor Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. 

The team not only fought on the field to sustain the glory but also had to overcome huge outfield obstacles, including their irregular payments, lack of international friendlies, and a conflict with Butler about team selection at the beginning of the competition.