Monika Chakma (Chakma: 𑄟𑄧𑄚𑄨𑄇 𑄌𑄋𑄴𑄟𑄳𑄦; Bengali: মনিকা চাকমা) (born 15 September 2003) is a midfielder for the Bangladesh women's national football team. She currently plays for Bashundhara Kings Women in the Bangladesh Women's Football League. Chakma gained recognition in 2019 when she scored a goal against Mongolia during the Bangamata U-19 Women's International Gold Cup. She is also known by the nickname "Magical Chakma".[1][2]
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 15 September 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Khagrachhari, Chattogram, Bangladesh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Bashundhara Kings Women | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020– | Bashundhara Kings | 25 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2016 | Bangladesh U14 | 10 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2018 | Bangladesh U16 | 11 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Bangladesh U19 | 8 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019– | Bangladesh | 22 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 December 2020 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 December 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life
editMonika Chakma was born on September 15, 2003, in Sumontpara, Lakshmichhari, located in the Khagrachari district of the Chattogram Division, Bangladesh. She is the youngest of five daughters of Bindu Kumar Chakma and Robi Mala Chakma. Her elder sister is Anika Chakma.[3]
Domestic career
editMonika Chakma first competed in the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Football Tournament in 2010, held at Marachengi Government Primary School in Lakshmichhari. In 2012, she relocated to Chattogram, where Rangamati Maghachari facilitated her admission to Rangamati Maghachari Government Primary School. Representing her school in the 2013 Bangamata Football Tournament, she achieved runner-up status at the national level.[4]
International career
editChakma was first selected for the Bangladesh Under-14 team, where she contributed three goals and helped secure the Fair Play trophy for a third-place finish in the 2012 AFC Tournament in Sri Lanka.[5] She later represented Bangladesh in the Asian Under-14 Championship in Thailand and competed in the Bangamata U-19 Women's International Gold Cup, where she scored a goal against Mongolia in the semi-finals. This goal led to Bangladesh being featured in FIFA's "Fans' Favorite" page, and FIFA recognized her skill with the title "Magical Chakma." Monika completed her Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in Humanities from Monica Ghagra College, following her studies at Rangamati Ghagra High School.[6]
She joined the police force in January 2018 while continuing her education in computer in a polytechnic institute.[citation needed]
Goals
edit| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 23 June 2022 | Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh |  Malaysia |
5–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
| 2. | 10 September 2022 | Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal |  Pakistan |
1–0 | 6–0 | 2022 SAFF Women's Championship |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Report, Star Online (May 4, 2019). "Monika's super effort in FIFA's list of 'favourite' moments". The Daily Star.
- ^ "Wonder Monika strike features in Fifa Fans' Favorite". Dhaka Tribune. May 4, 2019.
- ^ খাগড়াছড়ির তিন ফুটবল কন্যা [Khagrachori's three football daughters]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-05-31.
- ^ "Monika Chakma: Taking Bangladesh football to the next level". The Business Standard. March 27, 2020.
- ^ মনিকার জার্সি বদল! জাতীয় ফুটবলার থেকে পুলিশ [Monika's jersey changed! Police from the national footballer]. Daily Janakantha (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-05-31.
- ^ ‘ম্যাজিক্যাল চাকমা’ কিশোরী মনিকা ['Magical Chakma' Monika] (in Bengali). Ekushey TV. Retrieved 2019-05-31.