Sports Desk:

Four booters of the Bangladesh national women’s football team will play for Bhutanese outfit, Royal Thimphu College, in the upcoming AFC Women’s Champions League (ACL) 2024-25.

They are – captain Sabina Khatun, vice-captain Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, and Ritu Porna Chakma, BFF Women’s wing chief Mahfuza Akter Kiron told the reporters in a press conference on Thursday.

“Royal Thimphu requested us [BFF] to permit Sabina, Maria, Monika, and Ritu to play for them in the upcoming AFC Women’s Champions League. We initially refused their request, but later agreed after consulting with the head coach,” said Kiron.

The first edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League, the premier club football competition for women organised by the Asian Football Confederation, will begin this month.

A total of 12 countries will compete in the meet, but there are no clubs from Bangladesh as the clubs did not complete the club licensing process.

Royal Thimphu, which were placed in the three-team Group D, will play against Iranian club Bam Khatoon Women’s Football Club and Hong Kong-based club Kitchee Sports Club.