The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Women's Kabaddi team left here for India Wednesday morning to take part in the 3rd Asian Women's Kabaddi Championship with a high hope to reach the final.

The third version of the 12-team Asian Women's Kabaddi will be held in Madurai in Tamilnadu State on September 18-21.

Participating teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

On the eve of the India tour, Bangladesh coach Subimal Chandra Das told UNB that their target is to play in the final. "This time our team is far better than the last SAF Games team," he said.

He, however, added that they are yet to know the grouping and fixture of the tournament.

Bangladesh eves finished 4th in the inaugural Championship held in the Indian city of Hyderabad in 2005, but did not take part in the 2nd version of the meet held in Iran.

Bangladesh women's kabaddi team earned bronze medal in the last South Asian Games in Sri Lanka in 2006.

Shahnaj Parvin Maleka will lead the India-bound Bangladesh women's kabaddi team.

Women's Kabaddi team: Players - Shahnaj Parvin Maleka (captain), Yasmin Ara, Latika Chakma, Laboni Chakma, Fatema Akter Sheela, Hasna Mariam Barna, Farhana Khatun, Mariam Khatun, Moyna Begum and Quamrunahar Sheela.

Officials - Rowshan Akhter Chhabi (manager), Subimal Chandra Das (coach), M Nazrul Islam (jury member), Amir Hossain Patwaryand Asgar Ali (technical officials).