Upon returning to Bangladesh as SAFF champions, goalkeeper Mili Akter from the women’s football team called her father, Samsul Haque, back to their village in Mymensingh’s Nandail upazila.

She shared her joy, saying, “Father, tell Mother that we’ve won (the game)! The government will give us many rewards now. You won’t need to struggle or sell bananas in the market anymore. I’ll come home very soon.”

On Thursday, Mili delivered this good news to her banana-seller father over the phone as she arrived back in the country with her team after beating Nepal 2-1 in the SAFF Women’s Championship finals at the Dasharath Stadium in Nepal’s Kathmandu.

Mili, a member of this victorious team, is the daughter of the impoverished Samsul Haque from Bari village in Chandipasha Union of Nandail.

When visited on Friday afternoon, her mother, Anwara Begum, was seen cleaning their government-provided shelter. Overjoyed with her daughter’s achievement, she shared the news with the villagers, who celebrated the victory as well.

Samsul Haque recalled his daughter’s call, saying, “She called me on Thursday morning, and even before I could ask, she joyfully said, ‘Father, your prayers worked! We’ve won.’”

Anwara Begum shared that she has four daughters and two sons. They don’t own any land and live in a house provided by the government. She has married off three of her daughters and currently lives with her youngest, Mili. Anwara has worked hard to raise Mili, who learned to play football from someone in their neighbourhood.

Mili’s journey started with local training under coach Md Delower Hossain Ujjal, who noticed her skills during school competitions and encouraged her to pursue football. Her dedication eventually led her to join the women’s team of the Bangladesh Army, from where she earned her place in the national team.