A women’s football match at Tilakpur High School ground in Joypurhat’s Akkelpur upazila, was successfully held this afternoon, days after it was postponed facing strong objections and acts of vandalism.
The event, organised by the Akkelpur Upazila Administration, marked a significant step for women’s participation in sports despite earlier resistance from local religious groups. The ground was packed with spectators eager to witness the match.
Akkelpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Manjurul Alam presided over the event, while Joypurhat Deputy Commissioner (DC) Afroza Akter Chowdhury inaugurated the match at 4:00pm. Among the special guests were Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Abdul Wahab and prominent political and community leaders, including BNP’s Rajshahi Divisional Joint Secretary Obaidur Rahman Chandon and Jamaat-e-Islami’s District Assistant Secretary Rashedul Islam Sabuj.
As part of “Youth Festival 2025”, the match, titled “Promila Football Match”, featured the Dhaka District Women’s Football Team against the Joypurhat District Women’s Football Team. The game was officiated by female referee Lata Parvin, assisted by Sapna Chauhan and Rahima Akter.
In a competitive match, Joypurhat secured a 1-0 victory over Dhaka.
On January 29, a scheduled girls’ football match between Joypurhat and Rangpur teams was postponed following protests.
A day earlier, local religious groups gathered at Tilakpur Rail Station’s Independence Square and delivered speeches objecting to women’s participation in football and later vandalised the fenced-off field. The incident was livestreamed on Facebook and widely shared, drawing national attention.
Following media reports, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs formed a three-member investigation committee, while the Joypurhat District Administration set up a five-member inquiry team to probe the matter.
On January 31, during a public hearing organised by the Akkelpur Upazila Administration, religious leaders who had opposed the match acknowledged their misunderstanding and issued a formal apology. With assurances of safety for the players, the game was rescheduled under government supervision, ensuring that the event could take place peacefully.
Speaking at the event, Joypurhat DC Afroza Akter Chowdhury said her office has organised many tournaments, including those at Tilakpur High School ground. “The previous incident occurred due to a misunderstanding between two parties. Those responsible for removing the fencing and halting the match have apologised,” she said.
Meanwhile, a previously disrupted women’s football tournament in Hili, Dinajpur, was successfully held on Monday, a week after facing resistance from the Tawhidi Janata, a local religious group.
The match featured the Dhaka Girls’ Football Team against the Joypurhat Girls’ Football Team, drawing a large audience of men, women, and children. In an intense contest, Dhaka defeated Joypurhat 3-0, securing a dominant victory.
