Dhaka: Four national women athletes from Bangladesh described their recent tour of Qatar with Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus as a dream-like experience. The athletes, part of the Chief Advisor's entourage, visited several key locations in the Gulf state, including the Qatar Football Stadium and the Olympic Museum. They also engaged in discussions with Qatar Foundation officials, sharing their insights on the development of football and cricket in the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the athletes, who included Bangladesh national women's football team captain Afida Khandaker, footballer Shaheda Akter Ripa, and cricketers Sumaiya Akter and Sharmin Sultana, recounted their experiences during a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy. Afida Khandaker expressed her happiness at the opportunity, highlighting the significance of their participation in the tour. She emphasized that such an achievement could open doors for further collaboration between the two countries in sports.
Qatar Foundation CEO Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani met with the Chief Advisor during the Arthana Conference in Doha and promised to enhance opportunities for Bangladeshi female players. The discussions included introducing cricket to Qatar, a sport not widely known in the country. Sumaiya Akter and Sharmin Sultana played a key role in presenting cricket to the foundation's CEO, sparking interest and plans to elevate the sport to international levels.
Sharmin Sultana noted the excitement of Qatari officials about the potential for cricket in their country. Meanwhile, Sumaiya Akter commented on the unique experiences and facilities they enjoyed as part of the Chief Advisor's delegation.
Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder highlighted that the athletes' visit added a new dimension to bilateral talks, focusing on sports in addition to the usual official topics. He underscored the importance of this visit in fostering a special interest in Bangladeshi sports and paving the way for future collaboration and support from Qatar Foundation in global sports initiatives.