Panaji: The Bangladesh women's football team cancelled an early-morning training session on Tuesday after learning that the mother of defender Sheuli Azim had passed away just hours earlier. The defending champions were preparing for the crucial SAFF Women's Championship semifinal against Nepal, scheduled for Wednesday, and had planned to train at the Athletics Stadium in Bambolim.
Mourning in the Camp
Several visiting journalists arrived at the venue only to discover that the camp was in mourning due to the death of Basana Azim, who had reportedly been unwell for some time. The players were informed of the tragic news by captain Maria Manda when they gathered in the dining hall for a light breakfast before departing for training, which was located about 25 kilometers from the team hotel in Utorda.
According to sources, the funeral took place later in the day, and Sheuli chose to remain with the team as it was impossible for her to reach home before the last rites were performed. Her decision to stay reflects her commitment to the squad during this difficult time.
Coach's Perspective
Bangladesh coach Peter Butler acknowledged the emotional impact on the team. "Sheuli is obviously quite an experienced member of the group and very well respected and liked," Butler said. "But from our preparation standpoint, I think we have to use the facilities that we've got, such as video analysis. The area around here is refreshing. We went for a walk in the afternoon. We haven't kicked a ball, but I don't think that would be a disadvantage. It gives everybody a little bit of time to realize that life can be short and cruel."
Bangladesh lost their concluding group-stage clash against India and now face a challenge from higher-ranked Nepal to reach the final. Butler emphasized the importance of mindset: "I said to the girls that the most important thing is to develop and approach it with a positive mindset. It's all about turning sadness and negative energy into positive energy. That's not easy, but I really believe we have a group of girls who are more than capable of going out there and putting in a good performance. Most importantly, getting the required result, which is a win."
Title Defense
Bangladesh have won the last two editions of the SAFF Championship and are aiming for a hat-trick of titles in Goa. The team will need to channel their emotions effectively to overcome Nepal and keep their championship hopes alive.
