Sanjida Akhter of the Bangladesh women’s football team has accepted an invitation to play for East Bengal FC in the present Indian Women’s League.
The 22-year-old will join her national team captain Sabina Khatun, who arrived in India today to join second-placed Kickstart FC in the same division.
“We have already given her a NOC [No Objection Certificate], and as far as I know, Sanjida has scheduled an appointment to submit his application to the Indian visa center and is expected to receive his visa soon.” Sabina received her visa quickly,” Bangladesh Football Federation general secretary Emran Hossain said Monday.
Sanjida’s first experience in a foreign league would be with Sabina, Krishna Rani Sarkar, and Sumaya Matsushima, who have all previously played in abroad competitions.
Sanjida claimed that this was the second time East Bengal had approached her for her signature. Due to national team obligations, she had to decline the initial offer.
“East Bengal officials offered me the Indian Women’s League before our FIFA friendly matches against Singapore, but I declined because we had international friendly matches.” I knew the federation would not let me go.” Today, Sanjida told The Daily Star.
“However, they [East Bengal FC] said that they needed me and would be waiting for my decision,” Sanjida said in a statement. “They came back with the offer again and I told them that I am available to play.”
East Bengal FC is presently fifth on the seven-team standings, with three points from four games played since the league’s inception on December 8.