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The Bangladesh national football team, stranded in Kathmandu amid anti-government protests and escalating violence while on a friendly tour, has begun its journey back to Dhaka.
After a tense wait at Tribhuvan International Airport, Javier Cabrera and Jamal Bhuyan’s men boarded a special Bangladesh Air Force flight at 2:55 pm Bangladesh time on Thursday.
Before departure, the Bangladesh Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Kathmandu Md Showeb Abdullah addressed the media to explain the unfolding situation, reports bdnews24.com.
“It was an extremely difficult situation. Everyone here knows the circumstances in Nepal, and you witnessed them firsthand. No one could have anticipated that in just a day and a half, the situation would deteriorate so sharply,” he said.
“Our second match was scheduled for Sept 9. We were preparing for it, but by that morning, the streets were chaotic. From road blockades to arson and widespread unrest, we were deeply concerned for the safety of the Bangladesh football team.”
Ensuring the team’s safe return became the top priority. Showeb expressed gratitude to those involved in executing the plan swiftly.
“The hotel where the team was staying faced a potential threat. Law enforcement was inadequate, so we had no one to rely on locally. Thankfully, nothing untoward occurred. From Dhaka, we received clearance for a special flight, allowing us to safely evacuate the team,” he said.
He also thanked Nepalese authorities for granting emergency landing permission within a day, despite most government offices being closed or under attack.
The operation to return the team was coordinated jointly by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu, and the government. Ambassador Shafiqur Rahman and several embassy officers were present at the airport.
Earlier, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) had indicated that the team would return at 3:00pm Bangladesh time on Thursday. Journalists who had travelled to cover the Bangladesh-Nepal match are also aboard the jet. Embassy officials had arranged transport for journalists stranded in Thamel to reach the airport.
The Bangladesh squad arrived in Nepal on Sept 3 for two friendly matches. Their first game on Sept 6 ended in a goalless draw. The second match, scheduled for Sept 9, was cancelled amid violent protests demanding the lifting of social media restrictions and anti-corruption demonstrations.
Following clashes with police on Tuesday that reportedly left 22 people dead, Nepal’s prime minister and several ministers resigned. Fires broke out at the parliament building and ministers’ residences, while violent protests spread across the country, prompting curfews and airport closures. The Bangladesh team remained trapped at their hotel.
An initial evacuation flight on Tuesday could not land at Tribhuvan Airport due to unsafe conditions and returned to Dhaka.
On Wednesday, a statement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports emphasised “maximum effort” for the team’s safe return.
Midfielder Sohel Rana shared a video update reassuring fans.
“Our situation is much better today. Yesterday was tense, but now the Army is in control, and we are safe. We are in regular contact with our families, who are no longer worried. We are well cared for at the hotel, and overall, everyone is now at ease,” he said.