Bangladesh aim to improve on their previous performance and climb higher in the global rankings at the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025, set to kick off Monday at the Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.
This will be the second edition of the tournament, with the first held in India in 2012.
A total of 11 countries — India, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Poland, Thailand, Uganda, Zanzibar and hosts Bangladesh — will compete this year.
“In the first World Cup, we finished fifth. This time we want to do better,” Bangladesh captain Rupali Akter told reporters Saturday.
“In such a big tournament, everyone will come to give their best. India, Iran and Chinese Taipei are strong teams. Nepal and Thailand are also strong,” she added.
Rupali, who began playing kabaddi in 2009, has announced she will retire after the World Cup. This is her first time leading the national side.
“Becoming captain in this tournament is something special,” she said.
“We have been preparing for the World Cup for a long time. The tournament was postponed twice, but we continued our training. Our preparation is good.”
Head coach Arduzzaman Munshi also expressed confidence in the team’s prospects.
“We began training with a clear target in mind. The schedule changed twice, which caused a slight dip in rhythm. But once we learned we would be hosting the tournament, motivation increased,” he said.
Arduzzaman, a former national player, added: “Playing on home soil gives us extra enthusiasm. We have prepared with the hope of winning at least a medal. We are still optimistic.”
“Truth be told, except for India, we have the strength to defeat any team,” he said.
Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF) general secretary S M Nawaz Shohag said, “In the women’s rankings, we are currently fifth. This World Cup gives us an opportunity to climb higher, and that is our main expectation.”
‘Ready to host’
As part of the government’s ‘Festival of Youth’ celebrations, the BKF will host the 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup from 18 to 25 November. The federation described the occasion as historic, as Bangladesh hosts the tournament for the first time.
All matches will be held at the Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur.
A press conference was held Saturday to share event details, and the Bangladesh squad was announced on the same day.
The BKF thanked the Ministry of Youth and Sports, various government agencies and sponsors for their support — from player security, accommodation and transport to venue management. The federation believes the event will significantly advance women’s empowerment.
It was announced that the trophy-unveiling ceremony will take place Sunday at the official residence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at Jamuna. Captains of all participating nations will attend.
Initially, 13 teams were listed, but Argentina withdrew at the last moment. South Korea, Japan and the Netherlands also confirmed they would not participate.
Teams have already started arriving in Dhaka. India and Zanzibar landed Friday, while Germany and Uganda arrived on Saturday.
Bangladesh squad for the World Cup
Players:
Shraboni Mallik, Brishti Biswas, Rupali Akter (Senior), Smriti Akter, Rekha Akhteri, Mebi Chakma, Rupali Akter, Anjuara Ratri, Sucharita Chakma, Khadija Khatun, Loba Akter, Yasmin Khanam, Israt Jahan Sadika, Tahrim.
Standby: Afroza, Lumbini Chakma
Coaches: Shahnaz Parvin Maleka, Arduzzaman Munshi
Fitness Coach: Sujit
Mentor: Badsha Mia
