Sabina & Co to play in SAFF Women's Futsal Championship

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Saturday announced an 18-member preliminary futsal squad for the inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship, including former national women's team captain Sabina Khatun and national discards Masura Parvin, Krishna Rani Sarkar and Sumaya Matsushima.

None of the four players have been considered for the national women's football team in recent months after being among 18 footballers who revolted against English coach Peter Butler. They last represented Bangladesh during last year's SAFF Women's Championship, where the team clinched the title.

In an interesting move, Sabina has been named captain of the Bangladesh futsal side for the regional tournament, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from January 3 to 25. All seven South Asian nations will participate in the round-robin competition, with the team finishing on top of the points table crowned champions.

The squad also features several former national players, including Nilufa Yesmin Nila, Marzia, Mishrat Jahan Mousumi, Lipi Akher and Unnoti Khatun.