Clubs count extra cost of keeping Nepalese players

The Bangladesh women’s national football team began a 10-day training camp from Wednesday, taking advantage of a temporary pause in the ongoing Women’s Football League caused by the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship.

The regional tournament will take place in Pokhara, Nepal, from 31 January to 7 February, forcing several league players to join the U-19 squad and prompting clubs to suspend their camps.

The break however, has raised uncertainty over the four Nepalese footballers currently playing in the league. Two are registered with Farashganj Sporting Club - Puja Rana and Samikshya Ghimire - while Rajshahi Stars FC have Bimala BK and Dipa Shahi in their squad.

With league matches yet to be officially rescheduled, clubs must now decide whether to send the foreign players home or retain them at additional cost.

Rajshahi Stars head coach Mahmuda Sharifa Oditi said the club is keen to keep their Nepalese duo despite the financial strain.

“They are still with us for now. We are thinking of keeping them here and not letting them go. It will be costly, but for the team, we are prioritising what is necessary,” Oditi told Daily Sun. “If they leave and we have to bring them back again, it will be very tough for us.”

She added that Rajshahi’s training camp has been closed for the moment, as five of her players have joined the U-19 camp and six are with the national team. “At this moment, the two Nepalese players are still staying with us,” she said.

Farashganj have taken a similar stance. Club coordinator Manos Bose Baburam confirmed that they also plan to retain their Nepalese players during the break, even though it will double their expenses.

“We are going to keep them, but it will require paying extra almost double for 15 days,” Baburam said. “We have spoken with the players. Our manager Kamrul Islam has already held preliminary discussions and agreed to increase the budget.”

However, Baburam expressed concern over player accommodation due to the upcoming national election on 12 February. “Our club ground is a large area and serves as a voting centre. Once the booths are set up, we will have to move the players,” he explained. “With a 35-member squad and two foreign players who need separate rooms, accommodation is a big concern. We may have to rent an alternative place.”

League matches are tentatively scheduled for 10 and 13 February, though final confirmation is still pending as officials assess the feasibility of hosting games around election day.