While felicitating the national women’s handball side yesterday on their recent triumph in the IHF Challenge Cup hosted by Pakistan, the Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) hoped the team would continue their success in future.
The team returned to the capital yesterday and were accorded an instant felicitation programme at the federation office where Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) secretary general Syed Shahed Reza was the guest of honour. The BOA secretary general announced cash rewards of Tk10,000 for each team member.
Shahed also promised all sorts of assistance on behalf of the BOA for the women’s handball side. “Bangladesh women’s team clinched an international handball title in December - the month of victory – in Pakistan by defeating the hosts. It is a great achievement. They showed tremendous teamwork to overcome the challenge of their opponents who are physically superior. I hope they will continue the trend. The BOA will extend all the possible support to them.”
Handball federation general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor said the success is an inimitable one. “As per my knowledge this is the first Olympic team sports event international title by any contingent of Bangladesh women. The players have boosted us and we hope to groom them for the future.”
Skipper Tripti Begum, who was adjudged the best player of the tournament, said her team was confident of winning the title and displayed superb team spirit. Coach Amzad Hossain also echoed the same tune. “I think team spirit and speed are the characteristics of this team” said Amzad.
BHF senior vice president Kazi Mahatabuddin Ahmed, team leader Jahangir Hossain, manager Lajul Nahar Kosturi were also present in the felicitation programme.