Krishna Rani Sarkar, a cornerstone of the Bangladesh national football team, stands as the second most seasoned and skilled player after captain Sabina Khatun. Despite her pivotal role in the SAFF Championship triumph, she was notably absent from last year's Asian Games. Her absence extends to the recent home matches against Singapore and Chinese Taipei, with the Bangladesh Football Federation Committee (BFFC) showing no signs of action despite her prolonged injury.
Krishna's condition, a desiccating toe causing significant pain and hindering her training and running, has been a persistent struggle for over a year. She bravely played for Nasreen Sports Academy, even scoring goals, but her readiness for international play remains compromised. The British women's team coach, Peter Butler, stated firmly, "She is not fully fit; I cannot take an unfit player at the international level." Frustrated, Krishna has turned to social media, expressing her disappointment at being unable to compete on home ground.
Initially, Krishna sought advice from Dr. Debashish Chowdhury of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Now in New York, she voices her astonishment at not having consulted an international specialist yet. Dr. Chowdhury emphasizes the uniqueness and sensitivity of her injury, recommending a podiatrist's expertise—unavailable in Bangladesh. He had advised seeking treatment in a developed country, citing the high costs in England and Germany, and suggesting India as a viable alternative.
Krishna's desire to seek treatment in India clashed with perceived federation indifference, possibly to avoid treatment costs. Contrarily, Mahfuza Akhtar Kiran, chair of the women's football committee, insists that they facilitated her visa and that she is under regular care from physiotherapists and local doctors.
Despite this, Krishna's condition has not improved, and the need for international treatment is evident. The chair acknowledges this necessity but seems to mask it due to financial constraints. With the federation's limited funds and the wealth of its officials, questions arise about their effectiveness in office if they cannot finance treatment for a few lakhs of taka.
Krishna's prolonged absence has sparked little discussion among the women's football committee or federation policymakers. A committee member, acknowledging their oversight, highlighted the shared responsibility with the coach-managers, admitting, "We cannot deny our indifference and negligence in not being able to bring a player like Krishna to the field."
