Organised by BRAC, the tournament brought together players from Kalsindur’s local football academy, which has earned national recognition for developing talented women footballers who have gone on to represent Bangladesh on the international stage.

Held against the backdrop of growing excitement surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the tournament transformed the football-loving village into a vibrant celebration of the sport. Players represented four teams inspired by global football powerhouses Argentina, Brazil and Germany, alongside Bangladesh.

The final proved to be a closely contested affair, with Argentina eventually overcoming Bangladesh in a penalty shootout. Bangladesh’s striker Hasina and midfielder Pinky delivered notable performances, but Argentina’s Sathi, Jim and Ritika emerged as the standout players, showcasing impressive skill, teamwork and determination throughout the match.

A large crowd gathered to witness the tournament, creating a festive atmosphere and demonstrating the deep-rooted passion for football within the community.

Nestled at the foothills of the Garo Hills near the Bangladesh–India border, Kalsindur has become synonymous with women’s football in Bangladesh. The village has produced several national team players, including Sanjida Akter, Maria Manda, Tohura Khatun, Shamsunnahar Sr., Shamsunnahar Jr. and Sheuli Azim.

Since 2025, BRAC has been working closely with the Kalsindur football academy to strengthen women’s football through training support and the provision of sporting equipment. The initiative aims to create pathways for young players to progress into age-group and national teams while helping to nurture the next generation of football talent.

The tournament also followed the recently concluded SAFF Championship final between Bangladesh and India, a match that featured several players from Kalsindur and further fuelled football enthusiasm across the village.

Prizes were distributed among the participants by Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Dobaura; Sub-Inspector Md. Sharif Uddin of Dobaura Police Station; Md. Abdul Hashem, Principal of Kalsindur Government School and College; A K M Delwar Hussain Mukul, President of the Mymensingh District Football Association; Md. Anwar Hossain Khan, Chairman of Gamaritola Union Parishad; Md. Jahangir Alam, District Coordinator of BRAC in Mymensingh; Nice Khatun, Regional Manager of BRAC Microfinance; and Suhrid Swagata, Communication Lead of BRAC Microfinance.

The tournament highlighted both the enduring popularity of football in Kalsindur and the growing impact of initiatives aimed at advancing women’s participation and excellence in the sport.