Earlier this week, a women's football match in Joypurhat was disgracefully disrupted by locals who masked their prejudice behind religious justifications. A football match, not a political protest, not a challenge to faith, but simply a game where young girls chase after a ball, just like boys have done for decades without a question. And yet, these girls had to face intimidation and threats for daring to play. It is infuriating that, even in 2025, we still have to defend a woman's right to play football. By now, this should not even be a conversation anymore.

I am often asked about women's football in Bangladesh, and what it was like growing up in a society where women's sports do not share the same space or coverage as men's. Recalling my childhood, the struggle was not so much the acceptance, but rather the lack of facilities or opportunities, coupled with a lack of athletes to look up to. Now, we finally have some facilities, role models, and momentum; yet, there are still those desperate to drag us backwards.

Having to write this opinion piece because of what happened in Joypurhat, or Dinajpur earlier, is heartbreaking. This is not just a random incident—it is a reflection of a deep-rooted mindset that some still refuse to change. There are stories that make you feel as if there is no way forward; this is one such moment.

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Spare female athletes from regressive dictates

Over the past few years, we have seen remarkable growth in women's sports in general. Be it basketball, tennis, cricket or football—women's sports are among the fastest-growing industries in the world. With record-breaking crowds, groundbreaking sponsorships, and investments, the sector is becoming increasingly popular. Bangladesh has not lagged behind in this progress. Our cricket team has performed impressively on the international stage, while our women's football team has exceeded expectations—something their male counterparts have struggled to achieve.

So, what fuels such hatred that it clouds your judgement to see that, despite all our obstacles, our female athletes are our best route to international success? Watching our female teams excel in their respective fields should not be a question of religion. Religion should never be a barrier to equality—just ask the Moroccan football team or look at the growth of women's football in Saudi Arabia. Just two years back, Nouhaila Benzina became the first-ever player to wear a hijab in a World Cup match, and she was celebrated for it. The two can coexist and will continue to coexist as the game grows bigger. They must—Islam is one of the world's largest religions, while football is its most popular sport. If they could not, we would not have Muslim women playing and excelling in sports today.

What happened in Joypurhat is dangerous, not just for sports but for our future. Preventing women from playing football is a perilous route for many reasons, including a negative impact on health and mental well-being. Factually, sports have no negative impact on society; in fact, the positives they bring overwhelm all other factors. Skills such as leadership, teamwork, mental strength, and handling pressure are positively impacted when children play sports. Sports does not cloud your mind or your judgement; it does not tell you to erase or compromise your faith, neither does it force you into any other beliefs. The only thing it does is give people, especially young girls, a fighting chance.

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Will the mob decide Bangladesh’s future?

Some argue that women's sports contradict modesty. However, sportswear has evolved to accommodate different cultural and religious needs. If modest sportswear exists, and women are comfortable competing while adhering to their beliefs, then any opposition stems from bias, not faith.

But here's the real question: how do we fight back against this mindset? Education is the first step. Schools must actively promote gender equality in sports and normalise the idea that anyone can play. A little girl should not grow up thinking she needs permission to kick a ball. We must highlight historical and contemporary female athletic figures to show that faith and sports are not at odds. Addressing gender stereotypes from a young age goes a long way. If boys grow up seeing their sisters, classmates, and female friends playing sports, they will never question it in the first place. Secondly, change starts at home. Teach your son that if his little sister wants to kick a ball, she has as much right as he does. Not less, not secondary, but equal.

I will not get into the political nuances of which party has carried out such barbarous acts; I will leave that to readers' judgement. However, I will ask a simple question: if a world war can come to a halt for a game of football, surely, our differences and our beliefs, too, can take a back seat on the field. Religion and football are two of the most unifying forces in the world. If both can coexist in stadiums from Indonesia to Morocco, why should Bangladesh be an exception?

This is not about disregarding faith or traditions. It is about ensuring that women, just like men, have the right to chase their dreams, stay active, and represent their country with pride. Let our girls play—not as a challenge to culture or religion, but because sports belong to everyone.

Raiyan Binte Rafiq is a sports columnist for The Daily Star. She works in Sports Media in the UK and manages recruitment at Next Level Sports Management in Bangladesh.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own. 

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