Published: 10:02 AM, 09 May 2026
BD women's football team holds first training session in Bangkok
As part of the ongoing preparation camp for the upcoming SAFF Women's Championship 2026, the Bangladesh Women's National Football Team conducted their first training session on Friday morning in Bangkok.
The session was held successfully with all available players and officials participating. There were no other scheduled activities later in the day following the morning training session.
Additionally, the remaining 2 players and 7 officials arrived safely in Bangkok earlier today and officially joined the team camp.
The full squad will train at the Alpine Football Training Center on Saturday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM as part of the team's continued preparation for the SAFF tournament.
Earlier, the Bangladesh women's national football team safely reached in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday evening for a two-week overseas training camp as part of the preparation for the upcoming SAFF Women's Championship.
The team departed from Dhaka on Thursday morning on a flight operated by US-Bangla Airlines, consisting of twenty one players and two technical officials. All players and officials are in good health. No training or other team activities were scheduled in Bangkok due to travel arrangements.
During the camp in Bangkok, Bangladesh will play two close-door practice matches against Thailand Tier-1 Women's League clubs, Kasem Bundit FC on May 10 and Bangkok Sports School Club FC on May 17. The team is scheduled to leave for India on May 22, following the completion of the camp.
Additionally, the remaining seven officials and two players departed from Dhaka on Friday morning on the same flight and will join the team in Bangkok upon arrival.
Earlier, Speaking at a pre-departure press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban, women's wing chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron said the team is being prepared comprehensively for the tournament.
"Our team is being prepared in all aspects-physically, technically and tactically-for the final phase of preparation," she said, adding that such overseas training opportunities were not always available in the past.
Kiron expressed optimism about Bangladesh's chances, noting that the team is back-to-back champions and have a strong opportunity to secure a hat-trick title.
Head coach Peter James Butler said the team had already completed a 10-day preparation camp in Chattogram and is now ready for the next challenge. "There is great opportunity as new players are coming into the squad. We are aiming to build on our previous success," he added.
Team captain Afeida Khandakar said the squad has developed good understanding and combination among players. "We have been training for a long time and are confident of doing well in the upcoming tournament," she said.
Bangladesh will face hosts Maldives on May 28 and India on May 31 in their group-stage matches.
The squad includes Rupna Chakma, Mile Akter, Swarna Rani Mandal, Halima Akter, Sheuli Azim, Afeida Khandakar (captain), Surma Jannat, Kohati Kisku, Surovi Akter, Shamsunnahar (Sr.), Unnoti Khatun, Arpita Biswas, Momita Khatun, Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Ritu Porna Chakma, Umehla Marma, Sagarika, Tohura Khatun, Anika Rania Siddique, Sauravi Akanda Prity and Shamsunnahar (Jr.).
