News Flash
DOHA (Qatar), April 22, 2025 (BSS) - Four Bangladeshi female athletes – two footballers and two cricketers - spent a busy day today as they accompanied Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Earthna Summit in Doha, Qatar.
The four players—footballers Afida Khandaker and Shaheda Akhter Ripa and cricketers Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana — joined the Chief Adviser in the opening ceremony of the summit at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel here.
The Chief Adviser introduced the four players to the guests at the opening ceremony, highlighting their achievements and the background of female sports in Bangladesh.
The four players earlier were welcomed by Qatar Foundation officials at the opening ceremony. Qatar Foundation officials interviewed four players during the Summit.
The players later met Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Foundation and the host of the Earthna Summit, with the Chief Adviser on their side.
The footballers and cricketers shared the challenges they face as female athletes in Bangladesh.
Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, herself a top former Qatari athletes and also the sister of Qatar Emir, listened to the Bangladeshi players and showed her eagerness to build a special dormitory, gymnasium, and practice facilities for Bangladeshi female athletes.
“We shared our life experience with the Qatari princess today. It is an amazing experience for us. We are really grateful to the Chief Adviser for bringing us here with him,” said footballer Afida Khandaker.
The Chief Adviser introduced the players to British actor Idris Elba as the latter joined the summit as a special attendee.
The four national female footballers and cricketers are accompanying Chief Adviser Prof Yunus during his visit to Qatar for the first time in history.
Qatar Foundation invited these female players to accompany the Chief Adviser to Qatar.
Prof Yunus is now on a four-day visit to Qatar to attend the Earthna Summit.
