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Rupna Chakma

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Rupna Chakma
Personal information
Full name Rupna Chakma
Date of birth (2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Naniarchar, Rangamati, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Bashundhara Kings Women
Number 1
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020– Bashundhara Kings 25 (0)
International career
2018–2020 Bangladesh U17 (0)
2018–2022 Bangladesh U19 19 (0)
2019– Bangladesh 22 (0)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  Bangladesh
SAFF Women's Championship
Winner 2022 Nepal
Winner 2024 Nepal
SAFF U-18/U-19/U-20 Women's Championship
Winner 2018 Bhutan
Winner 2021 Bangladesh
Bangamata U-19 Women's International Gold Cup
Winner 2019 Bangladesh
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 December 2023

Rupna Chakma (Chakma: 𑄢𑄪𑄛𑄴𑄚 𑄌𑄋𑄴𑄟𑄳𑄦; Bengali: রুপনা চাকমা) is a Bangladeshi football player who plays for the Bangladesh women's national football team and Bashundhara Kings Women.[1][2] She was part of the Bangladesh team that won the 2022 and 2024 SAFF Women's Championship and was named "The best goalkeeper" in both of those tournament.[3][4]

Chakma played in the under-16 team in 2019.[5]

Early Life

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Rupana was born in the village of Bhuiyodam, located in the Ghilachari hills of Naniarchar Upazila, Rangamati, Bangladesh. Her father, Gatha Moni Chakma, passed away before her birth. Her mother, Kalosona Chakma, raised Rupana and her three siblings, earning a livelihood as a day laborer in agricultural fields.[6]

Career

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Rupana’s schoolteacher, Virsen Chakma, recognized her enthusiasm for football and encouraged her to engage in training. There were initial concerns about the societal perceptions of girls participating in sports. Rupana's skills were showcased during a local upazila-level tournament.

She subsequently enrolled at Ghagra Primary School, where she trained as a goalkeeper under the guidance of coach Shanti Moni Chakma. In 2014, she took part in the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib National Gold Cup Football Tournament, where she was honored with the Best Goalkeeper award.

In 2020, Rupana joined Bashundhara Kings, competing at the national league level.

Honours

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Bashundhara Kings

Bangladesh

Bangladesh U20

Individual

International Career

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In 2018, she joined the Under-19 Women’s Team and helped Bangladesh win the 2021 SAFF Championship by defeating India in the final.[7]

In the 2022 SAFF Women’s Football Tournament, Rupana performed excellently as the goalkeeper, not conceding any goals in the group matches. During the final against Nepal, her critical saves helped Bangladesh win 3-1, and the team became SAFF champions.[8]

Personal Life

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Rupana’s achievements brought attention to her family’s struggles. After 2022 SAFF Women’s Football Tournament, the Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati visited Rupana’s home and provided financial support.[9] Media coverage of her story caught the attention of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who ordered that a new house be built for Rupana’s family.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Motivated Bangladesh face Bhutan in 1st semifinal on Friday". jagonews24.com. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  2. ^ "Valiant Rupna's error costs Bangladesh". The Daily Star. 2022-03-19. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  3. ^ "Captain fantastic Sabina named player of the tournament". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  4. ^ "Bangladesh players sweep SAFF Women Championship awards". The Daily Star. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  5. ^ "U-16 girls in final round again". The Daily Star. 2019-03-02. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  6. ^ Roni, Farid Uddin (2022-10-26). "The inspiring story of national footballer Rupana Chakma". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  7. ^ "Bangladesh beat India to retain SAFF U-19 Women's Championship title". The Daily Star. 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  8. ^ "Bangladesh players sweep SAFF Women Championship awards". The Daily Star. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  9. ^ Dhar, Bijoy (21 September 2022). "Rangamati DC hands 3L to Rupna and Ritu Porna's family". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  10. ^ "PM orders building house for Rupna Chakma". daily-sun. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2024.