22-07-2025
Bangladesh Air Force jet crash: U-20 Women's team dedicates SAFF win to victims
Bangladesh Under-20 captain Afeida Khandaker and head coach Peter Butler dedicated their SAFF U-20 Women's Championship 2025 triumph to those who lost their lives in the crash of a Bangladesh Air Force jet crash.
Bangladesh beat Nepal 4-0 on Monday in a decisive fixture at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka to retain its title. Earlier in the day, an F-7 BGI aircraft — a training fighter jet manufactured in China — experienced a 'mechanical fault' moments after takeoff and crashed into the two-storey building of Milestone School and College at Diabari in Dhaka's Uttara area.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus's special adviser, Saidur Rahman, told reporters that 27 people had lost their lives in this tragic incident.
In the post-match interview, Afeida and Butler paid their respects to the deceased.
'When we stepped on to the pitch, we knew that we were going to play for those who had passed away,' Afeida told reporters.
'Firstly, we want to pay respect to the deceased. It's really not exciting to be celebrating at a time like this. My condolences and prayers go out to those affected by this tragic incident,' Butler added.
(With inputs from PTI)
