No belongings of women footballers go missing at airport: Authorities

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities have claimed that they did not find any evidence of breaking the luggage and stealing valuables from a couple of members of Bangladesh’s SAFF champion team. 

The airport authorities said they came to the decision after examining the CCTV footage of the airport, which is entirely covered by strong surveillance.

Md Kamrul Islam, executive director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, said this in a press statement on Thursday.

A protocol officer of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and two team officials received the luggage intact and in a locked state before leaving the airport, it said.

News on missing dollars and other belongings from the luggage of the SAFF winning team spread and went viral on social media.

On information, the airport authorities examined the CCTV footage and found no authenticity of the claim, said the media release.

It said that the women’s football team landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from Kathmandu at 1:42pm on Wednesday.    

Later, the airport authorities received an allegation from one Imran, a protocol representative of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), and some media that some dollars and money went missing from the ‘hold baggage’ of two players of the football team, it said.

The authorities are committed to ensuring the standard and quality of services and upholding the dignity of the country, read the media release.

While talking to Business Insider Bangladesh, Ziaul Haque, additional superintendent of police (media) of Airport APBn, said that they are engaged in verifying the CCTV footage considering it as a sensitive matter.

The entire airport is under the coverage of closed-circuit cameras installed by the government and several agencies, Ziaul said.

The players were given a grand reception on Wednesday after they arrived in the country from Kathmandu, where they made history by clinching their maiden SAFF title after a 3-1 win over hosts Nepal in the final on Monday.