Azad Hossain :
The five-match bilateral women’s kabaddi series between Bangladesh and Nepal kicked off amidst a festive atmosphere at the National Kabaddi Stadium in Dhaka today. The host nation took a 1-0 lead in the series, defeating Nepal by a decisive 34-24 margin in the opening encounter.
​Bangladesh maintained an aggressive stance from the very beginning of the match. Relying on tactical raids and a rock-solid defense, the hosts secured a 14-10 lead in the first half. Although Nepal attempted a comeback in the second half, they fell short against Bangladesh’s resilient defense. Ultimately, the host team sealed a comfortable 10-point victory. Bangladesh captain Sraboni Mallik was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for her outstanding all-around performance.
​A major highlight of the event was the presence of Zaima Rahman, daughter of the Prime Minister. Before the match commenced, she participated in the formal introduction and exchanged greetings with the players of both teams. Later, she watched the action unfold from the galleries alongside regular spectators, enthusiastically cheering for the team. Following the victory, Zaima Rahman joined the players on the mat to share the joy, exchanging pleasantries and posing for photographs—a gesture that deeply inspired the squad.
​Earlier in the day, the series was officially inaugurated by the Inspector General of Bangladesh Police (IGP) and President of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, Md. Ali Hossain Fakir. In his inaugural address, he highlighted that kabaddi is Bangladesh’s national sport and an inseparable part of its cultural heritage, expressing confidence that the series would strengthen the bonds of mutual respect and friendship between the two nations.
​The opening ceremony was also attended by Amena Begum, Additional Secretary (Sports) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Mohammad Aminul Ehsan, Director (Sports) of the National Sports Council; and S M Newaz Sohag, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, along with other senior officials. With a commanding performance in the opening fixture, sports enthusiasts are highly optimistic that Bangladesh will maintain their winning momentum through the remainder of the series.
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