Kalsindur village in Dubaora upazila on the India-Bangladesh border in Mymensingh is all set to welcome its symbols of pride – eight members of the women's football team who have brought the SAFF glory to the country.
The "golden girls" of the village – Sanjida, Maria Manda, Sheuli Azim, Marzia Akhter, Shamsunnahar, Tahura, Sajeda, and Shamshunnahar Jr – represented the Bangladesh team that clinched the South Asian women's football crown for the first time Monday, breaking India's 12-year monopoly.
Thanks to them, the name Kalsindur has spread across the country and abroad. The once neglected village on the border of the Garo Hills is now electrified and its roads are paved due to the fame of the girls.
The stories of these girls have also made it to the textbooks of Class XI of the higher secondary level. There is a special lesson in the textbook "The Unbeaten Girls." Biographies of Sanjida, Maria, Tahura, Shamsunnahar, Sheuli, Najma Akhtar, and Marzia are recorded here.
Ans the villagers, who once could not think of letting girls play football, is now ready to welcome their heroes back with smiles, cheers and flowers.
Kalsindur School and College Assistant Professor Nazmul Haque said a joint meeting of local administration, public representatives and Kalsindur School and College authorities will be held Thursday at noon to welcome the women footballers.
Bangladesh thrashed hosts Nepal 3-1 to win the SAFF Women's Championship title at Kathmandu's Dasharath Rangasala Stadium.
During the historic final, Bangladesh got off to a great start when Kalsindur's Shamsunnahar Jr put her team in the lead in the 13th minute.
The unbeaten team arrived at Dhaka Airport around 2pm Wednesday.