Sanjida never expects getting Ekushey Padak

Dhaka, 7 Feb- It is a remarkable achievement for the Bangladesh national women's football team, which was selected for the Ekushey Padak-2025, the country's second-highest civilian award, alongside 14 other individuals honored for their outstanding contributions to various fields.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs on last Thursday announced that the women's football team was selected for the prestigious award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the country's sports sector.

After the introduction of the award in 1976, this is the first time a sporting team will receive the recognition in the history of country's sports arena, though late Abdul Hamid, a renowned sports journalist and sports commentator, was the first and only individual from sport arena who received the award previously.

The SAFF winning Bangladesh women's football team's dependable midfielder Sanjida Akhter was found thrilled and delighted with the state recognition. 

In an exclusive interview with BSS, she shared her feelings after Bangladesh women's football team was picked up as the recipient of the Ekushey Padak-2025.

Question - First of all, I would like to congratulate you and your team for the achievement. 

Answer - Thanks a lot.

Question - The government selected your team for the Ekeshey Padak-2025, what is your feeling?

Answer - Frankly speaking, I did not understand at first because I had little idea about Ekushey Padak, but when I came to know about this recognition, the second highest civilian award after Independence Award, I felt very delighted.

Question - Have you ever expected this prestigious award?

Answer - I have been playing for the national team and representing the country for the last 12 years. This honour in such a young age is unimaginable; we never thought that we will get this award so soon. Many people do many things, but they don't get this award. 

Question - To whom do you want to give the credit for the achievement?

Answer - I must give credit to Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) for this remarkable achievement because BFF arranges camp round the year for us. We all are not be able to come at this stage if BFF will not arrange long-term camp for us. So, I must give credit to BFF for this tremendous achievement and off course, I will also give credit to my family. 

Question - Whether this honour will motivate the team to perform better in the future?

Answer - See, this award not only inspire me or my team but also motive our juniors and other sportsmen because they realize that they also need to perform well to get this award since the women's football team got the prestigious award. 

Question - Have you talked with BFF women's wing chairperson after getting this honour?

Answer - No, I had not talk with our chairperson after the team's achievement, but I saw in the media that she congratulated our team. 
Question - The present government has honored the women's football team with this award. What do you think that this government is enough sports friendly? 

Answer - Definitely, the present government is sports friendly and it has taken considerable steps for the development of sports, I must thank the government for this honour. 

Question - Would you please comment about the Festival of Youth going on across the country?

Answer - This is a notable initiative taken by the interim government as our young generation is getting derailed nowadays and they are involved in many anti-social activities, so they need to be brought back from the wrong path. I think, Festival of Youth can play a vital role in this regard, because through this festival the young generation will get involved in sports, which is good for them as well as for the country.

Question - How do you see the step taken by the present government to introduce the festival for the first time?

Answer: Festival of Youth started at grassroots level across the country. Since it started from the grassroots I think competent player will come out through this process and thus, the country's sports will be benefited hugely.bss