Defending champions Bangladesh Women's Football team will start campaign in the seven-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship' 2024, taking on Pakistan in a Group A match in Nepal on Sunday (Oct 20). The match will kick off at 5:45 pm Bangladesh time at the Dashrath Rangasala (Stadium) in Kathmandu of Nepal. Bangladesh Women's team safely reach Nepal to compete in SAFF Women's Championship 2024 It will be the first match for Bangladesh in the ongoing meet while the second match for Pakistan, which suffered a 2-5 goal defeat against former champions India in the tournament opener. Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in three-team Group A of the regional soccer meet with India and Pakistan, while the four-team Group B consists of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, and the hosts, Nepal. Bangladesh team to fly for Kathmandu Tuesday to compete SAFF Women’s Championship Bangladesh, the champions of 2022, will play their remaining group match with five-time champions India on October 23 at the same. Ahead of Sunday's match, the Bangladesh National Women’s Football team made a hard training session at the St. Xaviers ground on Saturday from 15:30 to 16:30 pm. Following the day's training, the Bangladesh players underwent an ice bath recovery session to ensure their top form for tomorrow’s game. Addressing the pressmen after the day's training session, the head coach of Bangladesh team Peter James Butler and Bangladesh captain Sabina Khatun said they are fully prepared to face Pakistan and are optimistic to make a successful start in the SAFF Women’s Championship' 2024. After Friday’s group matches, India dominated Group A, securing a full three points, while Bangladesh and Pakistan remained in the second and third slots, respectively. Sri Lanka dominated Group B with a full three points, beating the Maldives by a 1-0 goal, while Bhutan played goalless with hosts Nepal to share the 2nd and 3rd slots, respectively, with one point each. The Maldives remained at the bottom without any point.

Bangladesh Army has announced a reward of BDT 1 crore for the Bangladesh women's football team who recently won the 2022 SAFF Championship in Nepal. The Army made the announcement on Friday. Bangladesh women's football team became the undefeated champion in the 2022 SAFF Championship. They scored a total of 23 goals in this premier football tournament in South Asia, while they conceded only one goal. Bangladesh won the title by defeating the hosts Nepal 1-3 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Read: Sabina wants to keep winning trophies playing entertaining football After returning home, the Bangladesh team was given a royal welcome. They were taken to the Bangladesh Football Federation from the airport in an open-deck bus. Along the way to the federation headquarters, thousands of supporters congratulated the team on their first SAFF title win. No other Bangladeshi team has been given such a reception before. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced a reward of BDT 50 lakh for them while two officials of the Bangladesh Football Federation have announced a total reward of BDT 1 crore as well. Read: SAFF women champs: Skipper Sabina given hero's welcome on return to Satkhira