Just a day before the highly anticipated kick-off of the UCB Women's Football League, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) found itself embroiled in a firestorm of controversy. The unveiled schedule, a cruel concoction of early morning and sweltering afternoon matches, sent shockwaves through the sporting community. Fear of heatstroke hung heavy in the air, with the harsh Bangladeshi sun threatening the players' health and safety.
The public outcry was swift and fierce. Critics slammed the BFF's women's wing chairman, Mahfuza Akter Kiron, for prioritizing floodlight costs over the athletes' well-being. Her justification of the brutal schedule – a desperate attempt to avoid the "hefty" Tk 13,000 fee charged by the National Sports Council for floodlight usage – only added fuel to the flames. The argument that such a sum was "impossible" for the federation rang hollow with many, sparking accusations of misplaced priorities.
However, a dramatic turn of events unfolded on the very day of the league's inauguration. Arriving at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium on Saturday, President Kazi Salahuddin surveyed the sweltering heat firsthand. The dire conditions were impossible to ignore. Refusing to accept the idea of young women battling not only their opponents but also the unforgiving sun, Salahuddin made a bold decision. Overruling earlier concerns, he declared his unwavering commitment to the players' safety. "Talk to the National Sports Council," he commanded, "arrange the budget. We will play these games at night!"
This eleventh-hour intervention marked a resounding victory for common sense and player welfare. The revised schedule, with kickoffs at a more humane 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm, allows the women to showcase their talents under fair and safe conditions. The dramatic shift serves as a reminder that the beautiful game should not come at the cost of the players' health, and that the roar of the crowd must never be drowned out by the groans of heat exhaustion.
