Bangladesh Football Federation General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag stated to the media that they have been facing a financial crisis to send the national women’s football team in the upcoming Asian Qualifiers round one of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024.
“We have to bear our own expenses during this competition. We have asked help from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council, but there was no positive feedback from their sides,” Shohag said.
“We have no other options or sources. So, the federation decided not to send the national women’s team in the Olympic qualifiers,” the BFF GS told the reporters via a video message on Wednesday.
But State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP slammed BFF GS for his careless and unprofessional statements to the media.  
“BFF asked for help just a few days ago (last Friday). We follow a government procedure to sanction any amount of money which takes some time. Every federation knows about it,” Zahid told the reporters after BFF GS’s statement.
“I don’t know why he gave this statement blaming the government. I don’t know why a responsible man like him came up with this statement. They are fully careless and unprofessional,” the state minister added.
The SAFF champions Bangladesh were put in Group B of Olympic qualifiers, along with Myanmar, Iran and Maldives.
Bangladesh were expected to play against Iran, Myanmar and Maldives on April 5, 8 and 11 respectively at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.