More than football as National Stadium stages Bangladesh-China women's friendly on Saturday

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations, the BFF Elite Women's Football Academy and the visiting China Universities Women's Football United Team are set to play a friendly match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 4:00pm.

Ma Kun, physio of the Chinese side, said the match is about more than football in a press conference held at the BFF House on Thursday.

"This is the first time our girls have come to Bangladesh; they want to make friends, experience the culture, and gain international exposure."

"We hope this match helps deepen ties between the two nations and inspires more young people to love football," added Kun, associate professor at Yunnan Minzu University.

BFF executive member Mahfuza Akter Kiron called it "a proud moment" to host the Chinese team, adding: "It is not only cultural exchange but also an exchange of football skills."

The Bangladesh women's squad is mainly made up of U-17 players who recently competed in the SAFF U-17 Women's Championship, while the Chinese team features footballers from two universities, dominated by Yunnan Minzu University.

Present at the BFF House for the announcement were Li Shaopeng, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka; BFF vice-president Fahad Karim; Yang Ziangquan, dean of Yunnan Minzu University; Chinese captain Hu Chengmei; BFF Academy captain Surma Jannat; coach Mahabubur Rahman Litu; and HSBC Bangladesh's Head of Communications, Talukdar Noman Anwar.