Afeida, Ritu headline Rajshahi Stars’ title ambition

Newcomers Rajshahi Stars FC are set to field a strong squad in the upcoming BFF Women's Football League with the inclusion of national women's team captain Afeida Khandokar and star forward Ritu Porna Chakma.

The top-tier women's league, returning after a one-and-a-half-year hiatus, is scheduled to kick off on December 29 with the participation of 11 teams. Rajshahi Stars appear ambitious in their debut season and are aiming to challenge for the title.

In addition to Afeida and Ritu, several national senior and age-group players -- Sheuli Azim, Munki Akter, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Alpi Akter, Sauravi Akanda Prity, Puja Das, Nadia Akter Juthi and Swarna Rani Mandol -- are likely to join the Rajshahi-based outfit. The club is also attempting to sign players from Nepal and Pakistan.

"Rajshahi Stars, funded by Nabil Group, have almost completed forming a strong squad by confirming the services of 11 players from three pots designed by the Bangladesh Football Federation. We will fight for the league title," the team's manager Musfiqur Rahman told The Daily Star yesterday, adding that their contracts offer a minimum of Tk 75,000 to a maximum of Tk 5.5 lakh.

Rahman said the initiative was part of Nabil Group's broader involvement in sports. "Nabil Group have already been involved in franchise cricket with Rajshahi Warriors, and forming a women's football team is another effort to strengthen the progress of women's football in the country," he said. He added that the club has also recruited players from Narayanganj, Rajshahi and other districts to give them a platform in the top-flight league.

The BFF has placed 36 players in a central pool, allowing clubs to sign five players from Pot-1 (13 senior players), five from Pot-2 (18 age-group players) and one goalkeeper from Pot-3, in an effort to ensure competitiveness in the month-long tournament.

With the 13-day transfer window set to close on December 26, other clubs -- including defending champions Nasrin Sports Academy -- are also working to finalise their squads.

Newcomers Bangladesh Police Women's FC initially planned to sign a star-studded lineup featuring Maria Manda, Monika Chakma and Rupna Chakma, but later revised their plans due to financial constraints.

"We have given token money to five national players, including one U-17 footballer," Police FC coordinator and deputy police commissioner Quazi Nusrat Edib Luna told The Daily Star. "We are aiming for a balanced squad combining senior and junior players."

Meanwhile, Nasrin Sports Academy are expected to form a moderate squad this season, while Bangladesh Army, Ansar and VDP, and BKSP will mainly rely on their own players, with Ansar and VDP likely to include a few national team members.