Women's soccer

The women's football tournament is being organised by the Bangladesh Football Federation with the permission of the government. It is part of the activities that the Federation has to undertake as the highest regulating body for football in the country and as a member of the FIFA. The resistance coming from a party, known for its ultra-conservative views, is neither acceptable, nor tenable. Playing football cannot have anything indecorous or indecent about it. One must take note of the fact that the local girls are using costumes that conform to our tradition of not wearing anything bordering on indecency or sartorial brevity. So, what do the bigots find in it that upset their sensibilities? Second, we are part of a global sporting family, each member of which has endorsed the idea of bringing more and more women to the sporting arena. Women are playing football in most of the countries. So, it doesn't stand to reason that we will lag behind others only because some religious fanatics don't want women to take part in outdoor sports. We cannot afford to remain isolated, nor can we break with our tradition as a sports-loving nation. The obscurantists are also planning to prevent women from swimming, and it is not known what will be their next target.

It is a clear case of politics and religion being mixed up with sports, which is highly undesirable and thoroughly unacceptable. Women are supposed to have their due place in sports and games, and it would be a meek capitulation to the agitators if the government and others concerned do not take a firm position to neutralise the threat to women's sports.

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