FE Today Logo

March of women

June 24, 2018 00:00:00


Bangladesh may have yet to produce individual female talents in sport. The country appears to be quite far from taking pride in the likes of a Steffi Graf, a Gabriella Sabatani or a Serena Williams. The neighbouring India can boast of its Olympic participating athlete P.T. Usha. However, the achievements made by Bangladeshi women in the fields of other areas requiring stamina and courage are not small. At this point the name which readily flashes in mind is of Wasfia Nazreen. The young woman has climbed up the peaks of seven mountains around the world. She began her series of mountain expeditions by conquering the Himalayan summit of Everest on May 26, 2012. Only a week before, on May 19, Nishat Majumder, another Bangladeshi young woman, reached Everest. It is the physical strength and indomitable spirit which perhaps inspired the country's women to vie collectively for laurels later.

The recent winning of the 2018 Women's T20 Asia Cup by the national cricket team caps these achievements. The spectacular victory follows a number of wins and participations in major tournaments meant for adolescent girls and women.

These feats of women are no surprise. People are acquainted with the contributions of women to the various sectors of this nation. Bangladeshi women have long been enjoying a significant place in areas ranging from politics, academia, medical service, arts to social work. Their impressive entry in sport and the related fields like expedition is a recent development. A noticeable aspect of this presence of theirs in the greater sport world is their ability to display excellence from the very early age. It's only unfettered patronage and material support which can help them retain their momentum of success in the coming days. But how can we take heart when the news media prints discouraging reports on the country's female sport heroes? The news of the shabby treatment meted out to the Women's T20 Asia Cup winners in Chittagong recently was depressing. While taking them from one part of the port town to another recently, the Tigresses were made to board a nondescript local bus with no air-conditioning facility. It came as a great shock. But they got their due honour a couple of days later.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hosted a reception for the triumphant cricketers at Ganabhaban in the capital on June 20. As a token of goodwill, she gave away Tk 20 million among the players and the other members of the winning team. Following the step of the PM, all of us should learn how to show respect to the nation's brilliant sons and daughters.

Dr. Farhana Huq

Shantinagar, Dhaka


Share if you like