“A England-based footballer has arrived in Bangladesh.”

Following in the footsteps of Sweden-based Anika Rania Siddiqui, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has now set its sights on another British-Bangladeshi prodigy, 16-year-old forward Shaila Madina Ahmed. As part of BFF’s initiative to incorporate expatriate talent into women’s football, Shaila is being considered for inclusion in the national age-group teams.

Born in 2009, Shaila has already established herself as a promising footballer in England, regularly participating in competitive youth leagues. Her journey took a significant leap in August 2015, when she earned a full scholarship to join the prestigious Aston Villa Foundation Development Programme, renowned globally for developing elite-level footballers.

Before joining Aston Villa, Shaila showcased her skills at Northampton Town FC Girls Elite Academy, where she played for the under-13 team. Over two seasons, she scored 17 goals and provided 22 assists, a performance that earned her the ‘Player of the Year’ award for the 2020-21 season.

BFF Vice President Fahad Karim confirmed that while Shaila will not immediately join the senior national team, she is being prepared for participation in age-based squads. He stated, “Insha’Allah, Shaila will represent the youth team in Bangladesh. We maintain regular communication with her father, and discussions with her family have been ongoing since last year. She is currently pursuing her scholarship at Aston Villa.”

Karim further elaborated that Shaila will be approached for upcoming international tournaments according to the team’s schedule. “We have the SAFF U-17 tournament and the U-19/U-20 competitions ahead. If all goes as planned, we may see her in the national setup later this year,” he added.

Shaila’s inclusion is part of a broader strategy by BFF to integrate diaspora talent into Bangladesh’s women’s football, thereby strengthening the national pipeline and offering young expatriate players the opportunity to contribute to the country’s sporting success.

The table below highlights Shaila’s key milestones and achievements so far:

Shaila Madina Ahmed’s progression exemplifies the growing influence of British-Bangladeshi players in international women’s football, and her journey promises to inspire young athletes both in Bangladesh and abroad.