India coach hails ‘extraordinary’ Ritu Porna

Bangladesh star forward Ritu Porna Chakma may not have been at her scintillating best throughout the recently concluded SAFF Women's Championship, but her reputation as one of the region's finest footballers remains intact.

India head coach Crispin Chettri showered praise on the 22-year-old winger after his side defeated Bangladesh 3-1 in the final on Saturday to reclaim the SAFF Women's Championship title after a six-year wait.

When asked during the post-final press conference whether there were any Bangladeshi players Indian footballers could look up to, Chettri singled out Ritu as an example not only for South Asia but for the continent as a whole.

"We know it's Ritu Porna, who has been extraordinary not only in South Asia. She is extraordinary in Asia. I think she's a pioneer of women's football in Bangladesh. I think not only Bangladesh, I think most of the South Asian nations look up to her," said Chettri.

Although Ritu struggled to reproduce the form that has made her one of Bangladesh's most influential players, she still made important contributions during the tournament. The left winger scored in Saturday's final against India and also produced an Olympic goal in the semifinal against Nepal to help Bangladesh level the score.

Ritu's rise over the past year has elevated her profile across the continent. She played a key role in Bangladesh's historic qualification for the AFC Women's Asian Cup, scoring memorable goals against Myanmar and showcasing her trademark left-footed finishing ability. She also impressed during the Asian Cup campaign, coming close to adding to her tally on several occasions.

The forward was instrumental in Bangladesh's back-to-back SAFF triumphs in 2022 and 2024, including a strong performance in the 2024 final victory over Nepal.

While praising her achievements, Chettri also stressed the importance of leadership beyond the pitch.

"Now it's her job not to do that only on the field, but off the field also. Women's football is all about that. I think they should be doing good," he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh coach Peter Butler revealed that Ritu is set to travel to Myanmar soon, where she will play several matches for a club side, providing another opportunity for the talented winger to further develop her career on the international stage.