Bangladesh national women's kabaddi team started their five-match bilateral series against Nepal with a resounding 34-24 victory at the National Kabaddi Stadium in Dhaka on Friday, clinching an early 1-0 lead.
The energetic atmosphere in the stands was further amplified by the high-profile attendance of Zaima Rahman, daughter of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, whose enthusiastic support became a major focal point for the spectators.
From the opening moments, the hosts deployed a highly aggressive strategy, keeping the visiting Nepalese side on the defensive.
Thanks to a combination of clever offensive maneuvers and a resolute backline, Bangladesh established a 14-10 advantage by halftime.
Though the Nepalese squad made a determined push to narrow the gap during the second half, they failed to break through the hosts' defense, allowing Bangladesh to comfortably secure the match by a 10-point margin.
Following the victory, Bangladesh skipper Shraboni Mollick was honored as the player of the match for her clinical leadership and on-court performance.
Prior to the kickoff, Zaima Rahman joined the athletes from both nations on the court for introductory greetings.
Later, choosing to bypass the formal environment of the VIP enclosure, she descended to the main stands to watch the action alongside regular fans, cheering passionately throughout the game.
Her constant encouragement during the matches deeply motivated the squad, and after the final whistle, she invited the triumphant Bangladeshi players over to offer her congratulations and share a lighthearted moment taking selfies with them—an approachable gesture that left the team highly inspired.
The tournament was officially opened earlier in the day by Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and President of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF).
The opening ceremony also saw the attendance of other prominent figures, including Amena Begum, the Additional Secretary (Sports) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Mohammad Aminul Ehsan, the Director (Sports) of the National Sports Council.
They were accompanied by BKF General Secretary SM Newaz Sohag and several other executive members of the federation.
Driven by an impressive display on the mat and vibrant backing from the crowd, a festive air engulfed the arena, leaving local supporters highly confident that the national team will maintain this winning trajectory as the series progresses.
