The 12-nation 3rd edition of the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi Tournament will begin on Monday (March 13) at the Kabaddi Stadium in the capital.
A record 12 countries: England and Poland from Europe, Argentina from Latin America, Kenya from Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei from South East Asia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh from South Asia and Iraq from the Middle East of Asia-- will compete in the eighth-day meet.
The first edition was held with the participation of five teams and the second edition held last year with the participation of eight teams.
The trophy unveiling ceremony of the meet was held on Sunday at the Kabaddi Stadium in the city in presence of the captains of all the 12 participating teams, also featuring the official press meet of the tournament.
Habibur Rahman, general secretary of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation and Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh Police was present on the occasion.
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Joint Secretary of the federation and Additional DIG of Bangladesh Police Kazi Mozammel Huq and tournament's Technical Director E. Prasad Rao were also present on the occasion.
Tuhin Tarafder, the skipper of Bangladesh team expressed high optimism about retaining the trophy.
“We have worked hard for the last couple weeks and the team is stronger than the last editions, we are going through hard training under foreign coaches, now, we are very hopeful to retain the title” said Bangladesh captain Tuhin.
Grouping of the tournament:
Group A- Bangladesh, Iraq, Nepal, England, Argentina, Poland
Group B- Kenya, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Chinese Taipei.