Promised house construction for Ritu Porna faces obstruction

Ritu Porna Chakma, a key member of Bangladesh's SAFF-winning women's football team, has alleged she is facing obstruction in the construction of a house promised by local authorities following her contribution to the nation's success.

Ritu, who scored in the final against Nepal in the last SAFF Championship and was named the tournament's best player, made the complaint in a Facebook post on Saturday.

She said she was promised a house and a road to her home in Rangamati by the district administration after Bangladesh's first SAFF victory in 2022. While fellow footballer Rupna Chakma received a house then, Ritu said her promises were never fulfilled.

"I didn't ask for anything for myself, only a road for my villagers," Ritu wrote. "The administration promised both road repairs and a house on a selected plot, which I agreed to. But nothing was implemented."

Following the 2024 SAFF win, Ritu said she received a similar royal reception and was hopeful that previous promises would now be fulfilled.

She said the local UNO recently informed her of a budget allocation for the road construction and even installed a tube well at her home with personal initiative.

According to Ritu, she was later told the district commissioner approved the house construction and allocated funds.

"I was very happy and excited," she wrote. "But now I'm hearing that certain groups are trying to block the construction. Is there no space for me in my own area?"

Ritu ended her post with disappointment: "I've been representing Bangladesh since 2017, but have I received the respect I deserve from my own district?"

Local authorities have not yet responded to her claims.