The academy that's shaping Bangladesh women's football

In the northern borderland of Thakurgaon, a remote village called Rangatungi has emerged as an unlikely powerhouse in Bangladesh women's football. Since the formation of the Rangatungi Football Academy in 2014, this grassroots initiative has become a critical contributor to the national football pipeline, producing 23 players for youth and senior Bangladesh teams—including stars like Mosammat Sagorika, Sohagi Kisku, and Kohati Kisku.

The story of Rangatungi Football Academy is not one of overnight success, but of sustained commitment, systematic player development, and a clear understanding of how rural talent can be harnessed with the right platform—even without a single corporate sponsor.

A bold foundation

The academy was founded by Tajul Islam, a former acting principal of Ranisankail Degree College, who combined his background in cultural activism with a passion for football. In 2014, while attending a local football tournament as chief guest, Tajul noticed the raw energy and athleticism of tribal girls—mostly from the Saontal community—who were playing with passion but no structure. He saw an opportunity where most saw limitations.

Using a 50-bigha field which his family once owned in Rangatungi, Tajul opened training sessions for these girls, starting with no infrastructure and little equipment. But local support quickly followed. Jerseys and boots were donated by well-wishers, while a local sports shop in Ranisankail and nearby pharmacies extended credit to cover basic needs. The commitment was total: Tajul even coached the girls himself, learning drills from YouTube and applying whatever resources he could gather.

As the academy took shape, its training regimen became more disciplined. Physical conditioning, ball control, formation drills, and match simulations were gradually introduced, building not only technical skills but also match temperament.

A technical leap: Coach Gopal Mormu Suga

The coaching structure gained a professional edge when Gopal Mormu Suga, himself from the Saontal community, joined the programme. He remains the only coach among Rangatungi's early mentors with AFC C and grassroots certification. Between 2015 and 2019, Gopal led most training sessions, shaped the tactical understanding of the girls, and laid the groundwork for competitive football.

His contributions were verified by Mahbubur Rahman Polo, senior coach from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), who visited the academy multiple times and acknowledged that Suga was the de facto technical leader of the project during its formative years.

Competitive rise

Rangatungi began to make noise on the national stage in 2016, when their players—forming the majority of the Thakurgaon district team—reached the semifinals of the JFA U-14 Women's Championship. The following year, they went one better: winning the regional title by beating Gaibandha 4–1 and then reaching the national final in Dhaka, where they lost to a strong Mymensingh side.

Still, the impact was undeniable. The Rangatungi-based team went unbeaten in the group stage, outplaying better-funded sides. That same year, they won the Joy Bangla Youth Award for their contributions to sport and youth development—a first for any rural football initiative from the region.

By 2018, Rangatungi had firmly established itself as a top breeding ground for talent, with regular participation in national-level age-group tournaments.

Players on the rise

Perhaps the most powerful testament to the academy's success is its alumni list. As of 2024, Rangatungi Football Academy has produced 23 national-level players across various age categories, with seven of them still active in either youth or senior squads.

Among them, Mosammat Sagorika has become the academy's standout figure. A pacey forward with excellent positioning and finishing, Sagorika made headlines in the SAFF U-17 and U-19 Championships, scoring in both finals against India and winning the Player of the Tournament award at U-19 level. She also finished as joint top-scorer with three goals. Her breakthrough has made her not just a football star but a local icon. A few days ago, Sagorika scored four goals in a game against Nepal to earn Bangladesh the SAFF U-20 championship title.  

Sisters Sohagi and Kohati Kisku, also Rangatungi graduates, have been part of national squads since 2019. These players are not anomalies—they are the product of a system, one that trains roughly 40 girls at a time, across different age groups, with year-round sessions.

Influence beyond the field

What's remarkable is how Rangatungi's impact has extended beyond its own boundaries. Inspired by the academy's success, another women's football academy was established in neighbouring Jangaon in 2021. In just three years, Jangaon has already produced a player for the national youth team and offers stipends to its best performers—something Rangatungi, despite its longer legacy, still cannot afford to do.

This is a telling sign: Rangatungi is not just producing players; it is inspiring a regional football ecosystem.

The national women's football structure has benefited immensely from Rangatungi's output, especially at a time when the demand for grassroots development is growing louder. While elite academies like BFF's Elite Women's Academy in Dhaka serve the top tier, rural academies like Rangatungi provide the crucial first step in identifying and nurturing raw talent.