Unicef Bangladesh yesterday signed a two-year partnership agreement with Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to bolster girls' empowerment through football. As part of the agreement, the Unicef logo will be placed on the shirts of the national under-16 girls' football team in their practice sessions, be it at home or during any international assignment.

In addition, Unicef will work closely with BFF to encourage more girls to participate in football by organising national talent hunts and football tournaments covering all 64 districts of Bangladesh on an annual basis.

BFF president Kazi Salahuddin and Unicef Bangladesh's representative Edouard Beigbeder signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

“This initiative will offer a unique opportunity to enhance Unicef's partnerships in the world of sport by bringing into limelight the hidden talent scattered across the country with a strong potential to change lives,” Beigbeder said at the agreement signing programme at the BFF House.

Beigbeder said that Bangladesh's women's under-16 players were now 'models of girl empowerment and emancipation' and had set an example for other girls in the country to follow.

He said that sport promotes equity and inclusion and plays a vital role in breaking entrenched attitudes and practices that discriminate against girls including child marriage, child trafficking and violence against children.

BFF women's wing chairman and FIFA council member Mahfuza Akter Kiron, BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag and Chief, Unicef Bangladesh's communication advocacy and partnership chief Sakil Faizullah were present among others.