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Sreemangal, Bangladesh – Through a recent seven-day training camp, players honed advanced skills, gaining confidence and visibility in a society that often marginalizes them. The team’s exhibition match showcased their progress, challenging stereotypes about disability and gender. Despite hurdles like limited prosthetics access and social stigma, these athletes are inspiring change, proving that disability doesn’t define potential. The initiative aims to expand into fostering empowerment and reshaping perceptions—one game at a time.
In a country where women with disabilities face immense social and physical barriers, a group of determined athletes is rewriting the narrative through football. Sports for Hope and Independence, with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), recently concluded the third training camp for Bangladesh's groundbreaking Women's Amputee Football Team – the first of its kind in South Asia.
Breaking new ground in para-sports
The seven-day camp, held in the scenic tea-growing region of Sreemangal, marked another milestone for these trailblazing athletes since their inaugural session in September 2024. What began as an experimental initiative has blossomed into a full-fledged movement for inclusion and empowerment.
"Every time we take the field, we're proving that disability doesn't mean inability," said team captain Sumaiya*, her prosthetic leg glinting in the sun as she demonstrated a drill. "When I first joined, I could barely run. Now I can control the ball, pass, and even score goals."
The camp focused on advanced technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical conditioning – a significant step up from the basic training of their first sessions. Coaches reported remarkable improvements in the players' ball control, positioning, and teamwork.
More than just a game
For these women, football represents far more than sport. In a society where disability often leads to marginalization and where women's participation in athletics remains limited, the program offers a rare opportunity for self-expression and community.
"Many of our players had never left their villages before joining the team," explained Sharmin Farhana Chowdhury, Founder and CEO of Sports for Hope and Independence. "Now they're traveling across the country, staying in hotels, and becoming role models. The transformation in their confidence is incredible to witness."
The psychological impact is equally profound. Twenty-three-year-old Shila* shared how joining the team changed her life: "After my accident, I thought my life was over. Football gave me back my purpose. When I'm on the field, I don't feel disabled – I feel powerful."
Exhibition match showcases progress
The camp culminated in an exhibition match that drew an enthusiastic crowd of local spectators, disability advocates, and sports officials. The players demonstrated impressive skill and tactical awareness that belied the team's short history.
"What these athletes have achieved in less than a year is extraordinary," observed Nicolas Fleury, Head of Delegation for ICRC Bangladesh, which has provided crucial support including equipment, training facilities, and technical expertise. "They're not just playing football – they're changing perceptions about what people with disabilities can accomplish."
Challenges and the road ahead
Despite their progress, significant hurdles remain. Access to quality prosthetics, training facilities, and transportation pose constant challenges. Social stigma continues to discourage some families from allowing their daughters to participate.
"The biggest battle isn't on the field – it's changing mindsets," noted coach Kajoli Akter. "Some people still ask why women with disabilities would want to play sports. We show them why every time we play."
A movement grows
As the players packed their kits after the final training session, there was a palpable sense of momentum. What began as a small pilot project is evolving into a national movement for disability rights and gender equality in sports.
"This is just the beginning," promised Chowdhury. "Every goal we score is a goal against discrimination, against limitations, against the idea that these women can't achieve greatness."
For the players, the message is simple. As defender Avipsha Borua put it: "We play to show the world that we exist, that we matter, and that we can excel." With each training session and every match, Bangladesh's women amputee footballers are doing exactly that – one determined step at a time.
