I hope this campaign inspires many young women to believe in themselves: Nigar Sultana Joty

USAID has launched its "Healthier in Motion" campaign in Bangladesh with Nigar Sultana Joty, captain of the Bangladesh women's cricket team, as its ambassador. The initiative aims to promote health, nutrition, physical fitness, and mental well-being among Bangladeshi women and youth, empowering them to make informed health decisions and overcome societal barriers. Nigar shared her own inspiring journey of becoming a cricketer, along with the story of Marufa Akter, who went from working in the fields with her father to representing Bangladesh on the cricket field.

Reflecting on her role as an ambassador for "Healthier in Motion," Nigar said, "Sports have made me physically and mentally strong, and have helped me become financially independent. I hope this campaign inspires many young women to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams."

When asked if she wished for biopics on Bangladeshi athletes, similar to those on international stars, Nigar highlighted the unique stories that exist within Bangladesh, saying, "We all know the stories of players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but do we truly know the struggles of Shakib Al Hasan or Mashrafe Bin Mortaza? My journey, for example, was very difficult. Growing up in a small town, it was unimaginable for people to accept girls playing cricket, especially wearing jerseys and trousers. My parents faced a lot of criticism back then, but today those same people proudly say, ‘She’s our girl.’ I’m grateful for my family’s support—without it, I wouldn’t be here."

She added that conditions have improved significantly for female athletes today, with media coverage bringing more awareness to women’s stories. Nigar pointed to Marufa Akter as an example, saying, "Marufa’s journey is unique—from plowing fields with her father to becoming a name for Bangladesh in cricket. Her story could inspire many young girls to take up sports."

On the topic of mental health, Nigar highlighted a gap in awareness and acceptance, "If I were to tell the BCB that I'm struggling mentally or feeling burnt out, do you think our society is ready to accept that openly? No one has really done it before. Mental health should be prioritized along with physical fitness. Cricket is 70% mental and 30% physical. As players, we go from one series to another, yet no one asks if we’re mentally okay, only if we’re fit."

Other ambassadors of the campaign include Nemesis frontman Zohad Reza Chowdhury and experienced yoga instructor Shazia Omar, founder of Dhaka Flow, both of whom also spoke at the event.