Hearing comparisons between men’s and women’s sports often evokes snickers. Comments such as “Is women’s sports worth watching?” » are not uncommon.

But the reality is that, despite a notable increase in public interest, what rewards are female players actually receiving in comparison? Outside of developed countries, to what extent can women progress in sport in the context of Bangladesh?

Cricket is undoubtedly the most popular sport in Bangladesh, and for good reason. But when we compare the hype around cricket with the actual achievements of the national team, and the attention given to football with its success rate, a valid question arises: Doesn’t football deserve more recognition, especially women’s football?

Although comparisons are discouraged, they emerge naturally.

If we consider only women’s football, Bangladesh women’s team has won the Saff Championship twice and that too consecutively. These fierce tigresses fought valiantly to claim the crown of South Asia.

The men’s team, on the other hand, has only won this title once, in 2003. Two decades have passed without significant success. Yet while men play in leagues and several tournaments each year, opportunities for women to compete outside of their training camps are very limited.

Financially, the disparity is even more glaring. Female footballers do not receive the same earnings as their male counterparts.

In August 2023, 31 national footballers were placed on six-month contracts with the BFF, with the highest monthly salary set at Tk 50,000. It was reported that 15 senior players would get Tk 50,000 each, the next 10 players would earn Tk 30,000 each and the remaining six players would get Tk 20,000 per month.

On the other hand, although there is no official data on the monthly earnings of BFF male footballers, their average salary in the domestic league is around Tk 35-40 lakh per season, which equates to almost Tk 3 lakh per month on average. The disparity is palpable. Reports also emerged that BFF had failed to pay the salaries of members of the winning SAFF women’s team for the past two months, causing considerable uproar. Amidst all this, women have always brought joy to the nation.

During a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on October 31, the press secretary to the chief advisor, Shafiqul Alam, addressed the issue.

Attributing the problem to the tenure of former BFF president Kazi Salahuddin, he said, “The Advisory Council discussed Bangladesh’s triumph in the SAFF women’s football tournament. Several newspapers highlighted the salaries two months late for the women’s football team.”

He added, “This issue dates back to the days of Salahuddin. The issue of salaries will be resolved soon. The government is also discussing the pay disparity among female athletes in the country. Talks are underway with BCB and BFF to ensure that female athletes receive equal pay as male players.

When we talk about success, comparisons with cricket are inevitable. Cricketers enjoy high board salaries, match fees and participation in franchise tournaments. However, their international success rate is questionable. They have yet to manage to win even an Asian Cup trophy.

Men’s cricketers received a bonus of Tk 3 crore for winning a series against Pakistan, while the women’s football team, crowned the best in South Asia, received only Tk 1 crore.

In terms of merit, does men’s cricket even come out on top?

Male cricketers frequently appear on billboards and television screens, enjoying lucrative sponsorships. But where are the champions who brought back the glory of international tournaments? This begs the question: is the marketing potential of men’s cricket really unrivaled? And if yes, why?

It is true that cricket has generated significant revenue through its own actions, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) able to offer competitive salaries, bonuses and match fees, thanks to funding from the ICC and sponsors. Cricket’s financial influence grew with the intermittent successes of its players.

While the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) may not match the BCB in terms of financial strength, it is not completely helpless. This raises questions about their commitment to the development of football, particularly women’s football. Likewise, the government must also play a vital role in supporting and honoring the athletes who make the country proud. It is their responsibility to ensure that these players receive the respect and full support they deserve.

Given the results Bangladeshi women have achieved despite such limited opportunities, one can only imagine how much they could achieve with better support. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out.

Regular leagues, more tournaments and proper training of talents from all corners of the country, combined with financial stability, could enable these footballers to reach even greater heights. It is not an exaggeration to believe that these women, if given appropriate opportunities, can bring even more glory to Bangladesh.

The new management of BFF must understand that football, whether played by men or women, should not be viewed through a gender lens. Instead, the focus should be on encouraging those who bring the most success. After all, when the Bangladesh women’s team won the Saff Championship, no one thought, “The women have won.” Everyone thought, “Bangladesh won.”

Whether men or women succeed, at the end of the day, it is Bangladesh’s victory.

That’s why thousands gather in the streets to welcome the champions home and why their triumphs make headlines. In these moments, there is no division between male and female athletes. It is time to expand equal opportunities and support for women, and that time has come.

The path has been blazed by the achievements of these women who, despite many challenges, have shown what courage and dedication can achieve. It is now up to the authorities and sponsors to follow up. They must step up, recognize these champions and ensure that the future holds not only glory but fair rewards for all athletes, regardless of gender.