Christian women from tribal and minority communities are increasingly visible at the top of South Asian soccer — and none more so than Maria Manda, a Catholic from Bangladesh's Garo Indigenous community who has been named captain of her country's women's national team for the region's premier championship.
Manda, 23, a member of Bhalukapara Parish in the Diocese of Mymensingh, was appointed to lead her nation's squad for the 2026 South Asian Football Federation Women's Championship by English head coach Peter James Butler.
The tournament is being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India, from May 25 to June 7.
In Muslim-majority Bangladesh, where Christians make up a tiny minority, Maria's appointment has been a source of widespread pride among the country's Christian community, particularly its young people.
A member of the Garo Indigenous community, she is known for her ability to carry the ball from defensive lines to the opponent's box, earning a reputation as one of the team's most decisive players.
'A fighting leader'
Butler expressed strong confidence in the new captain.
"Maria is a player with a very fighting mentality, and she is highly respected in the entire squad," he said.
"She will lead the team with her performance. I know she will earn that respect from others too. A fighting leader like her can earn everyone's respect in the dressing room."
Speaking at the tournament's official press conference in Goa, Maria declared: "We have been champions in the last two editions. We want to play our natural game and keep moving forward."
Under her captaincy, Bangladesh opened the tournament with a 4-2 victory over the Maldives on May 28. After the match, Manda told Bangladeshi broadcaster T Sports: "We always aim to play well and give a good game to our countrymen. We won the first match with everyone's prayers and blessings. It feels great. I want more such support in the future."
Bangladesh fell 3-0 to host nation India on May 31 but advances to the semifinal round, where the team faces Nepal on June 3.
From U-15 glory to senior captain
Manda first became involved in organized football through the Bangamata School Football Tournament in 2011. She went on to captain Bangladesh's U-15 team, which won the inaugural SAFF U-15 Women's Championship in 2017 — a campaign in which Bangladesh went unbeaten and did not concede a single goal. She became a fixture in the senior squad that won back-to-back SAFF Women's Championship titles in 2022 and 2024.
This is her first time captaining the senior national team.
Father Bikash James Rebeiro, CSC, secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Youth and national youth coordinator for the Catholic Church in Bangladesh, told EWTN News: "Today, Christian youth and the youth of the country are very happy and proud to see the national team armband in your hand. Maria, the fighter on the field, is leading the entire country — this is a huge achievement for us."
"You have proven that with concentration and dreams, it is possible to overcome any obstacle," he added.
"Your leadership, hard work, and dedication are a great inspiration for millions."
Christian women rising in South Asian soccer
Manda is not alone in representing Christian communities on the South Asian soccer stage.
In Pakistan, Catholic defender Joyann Geraldine Thomas became the first Christian woman to represent her country when she debuted at the 2014 SAFF Women's Championship in Islamabad, having developed her skills through a parish-based soccer club in Karachi.
India forward Grace Dangmei — a Christian from Manipur's Rongmei Naga tribe who faced Manda's Bangladesh in Goa on May 31 — has helped India win multiple SAFF titles and is among the few Indian women to have played professionally overseas.
For now, Manda remains focused on the semifinal ahead. "We will be careful not to make the same mistakes we made in the first match," she said.
