BFF pushes for Independence Award for Swadhin Bangla Football Team
Speaking on 16 December, Victory Day, BFF President Tabith Awal announced that an application for the Independence Award has been submitted to the government on behalf of the team.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has taken a significant step to secure state recognition for the Swadhin Bangla Football Team, which played a crucial role during the Liberation War in 1971.
Speaking on 16 December, Victory Day, BFF President Tabith Awal announced that an application for the Independence Award has been submitted to the government on behalf of the team.
"The Swadhin Bangla Football Team made a significant contribution to our victory. They were the first to raise the flag of Bangladesh and disseminated crucial information about the war through their matches," Tabith said.
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"While the individuals of the team have been recognised as freedom fighters, the team itself has not been acknowledged as a unit. We hope the application will be considered seriously."
During the war, the team played football matches across India, raising awareness and funds for Bangladesh's independence.
hey participated in 13 to 16 matches, hoisting the nation's flag before each game. Despite their contributions, the team as a whole has never received formal state recognition.
Notably, team members Zakaria Pintoo and Kazi Salahuddin were awarded the Independence Award in the 1990s, and the entire squad was recognised as freedom fighters in 2003.
However, BFF is pushing for collective recognition for the 36-member team, which is memorialised on a plaque at the BFF premises.
"Many members of that team are no longer with us," Tabith noted, referencing the recent passing of Fazle Sadeqin Khokon on 8 December. "The urgency to honour them is greater now than ever."
In addition to its efforts for recognition, the BFF is also addressing crucial decisions regarding the national team's coaching staff.
With the contracts of foreign coaches for both the men's and women's national teams set to expire in December, discussions are underway about renewals or new appointments.
"The national team committee is still in the process of formation," Tabith said. "Once it is established, the first meeting will address the coaching decisions, and an official announcement will follow."
