Rupna’s Season of Absolute Authority

To remain unbeaten across an entire league campaign is a matter of pride for any footballer. For a goalkeeper, however, to complete a full season without conceding a single goal borders on the extraordinary. That is precisely the feat achieved by Bangladesh’s first-choice goalkeeper, Rupna Chakma, widely regarded as one of South Asia’s finest custodians.

In the recently concluded Women’s Football League at Kamalapur Stadium, Rupna featured in nine matches for champions Rajshahi Stars and did not concede once. Her immaculate record earned her the league’s Best Goalkeeper award and cemented her reputation as the last line of an impregnable defence.

Rajshahi Stars: A Defensive Masterclass

Rajshahi’s dominance extended far beyond their goalkeeper’s heroics. The side won all 10 of their matches, scoring an astonishing 90 goals and conceding none throughout the campaign. Rupna was rested for one fixture against comparatively weaker opponents Kacharipara, with national team deputy Swarna Rani Mondal stepping in. In two or three other matches, she was substituted late on to provide opportunities for other squad members. Nevertheless, the cornerstone of the team’s defensive solidity remained firmly in her hands.

Particularly testing encounters came against Farashganj and the Army Sports Control Board. Rajshahi edged Farashganj 1–0 in a tightly contested affair in which Rupna produced several outstanding saves, preserving a slender advantage under sustained pressure. In the final match, a 3–0 victory over the Army side, her assured positioning and command of the penalty area ensured another clean sheet. The only penalty awarded against her during the league was confidently saved.

Sustained Excellence at Regional Level

Rupna’s achievements are not confined to domestic football. She was named Best Goalkeeper at the SAFF Women’s Championship in both 2022 and 2024. In the 2022 edition, she conceded just once in five matches; in 2024, she allowed four goals in five appearances. These performances underline her consistency on the regional stage and explain why she has remained Bangladesh’s undisputed number one for several years.

Reflecting on her journey, Rupna described the season as a battle with herself. Having previously conceded a single goal in league-winning campaigns with Bashundhara Kings and Nasrin Sporting Club, she set herself a personal vow: this time, she would concede none. Despite acknowledging that the competition was demanding, she achieved precisely that.

From Kutukchhari to Continental Dreams

Born in Kutukchhari, Rangamati, Rupna’s path has been shaped by adversity. She lost her father, farmer Gajamoni Chakma, before her birth and grew up as the youngest of four siblings in modest circumstances. Her footballing education began at Ghagra School under coach Shantimoni Chakma. Initially a striker, she accepted a coach’s suggestion to convert to goalkeeper—a decision that would define her career.

Following Bangladesh’s triumph in the 2022 SAFF Championship, she received a house as a gift from the Prime Minister, symbolising national recognition of her contribution.

Last year she also played in Bhutan’s top division for Transport United, maintaining her reputation as a dependable presence between the posts. Yet her ambitions stretch further still. She hopes to compete in stronger Asian leagues beyond Bhutan and Nepal, aspiring to test herself at a higher professional level.

For now, a formidable challenge looms. Bangladesh will travel to Australia on 20 or 21 February for their maiden appearance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where they may face continental heavyweights such as China and South Korea. Undaunted, Rupna remains resolute: she is prepared to give her utmost.

In a sport where a single mistake can undo an entire team’s effort, Rupna Chakma has demonstrated that perfection, however rare, is possible.