Roll Ball World Cup begins Thursday amid festive mood

There will be 27 women's roll ball teams and 39 men's sides competing for the title with the grand finale scheduled for next Thursday. This is the first time Bangladesh would host a sports World Cup with the participation of so many participants and countries at a single venue. Organisers claim it would also be the first time in the world. A total of 39 countries split into eight groups will compete in the men's category where Bangladesh have been placed in Pool D along with Myanmar, Bhutan, Fiji and Hong Kong. On the other hand, holder India have been drawn in Pool A alongside Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Oman and England in Pool A. Meanwhile, 27 countries will battle for the title in the women's category where the home side have been pitted together in Pool D along with south Asian neighbours Nepal and Philippines. In both the men's and women's section, the winner and runners-up side from each group will move to the pre-quarter finals. Asia has the most number of representatives – 16 - participating in the event with 11 from Africa, eight from Europe, three from South America and one from Fiji Island, Oceania. The total number of male and female participants are 352 and 238 respectively. The World Cup takes place every two years. Denmark clinched the title in the opening edition in 2011 before India bagged consecutive crowns in the following two World Cups. Bangladesh men's team are participating in the tournament for the third time while for the women's side, it will be the second time. Bangladesh men finished seventh out of 34 teams in the last World Cup in Pune, India two years ago. The home team are targeting a better finish this year. Prior to the World Cup, no official draw ceremony took place. The grouping was made last Tuesday without the presence of the media. Even in the official media release distributed at the official press conference held at the newly built tournament venue on Wednesday afternoon, there was a list of 37 men's teams. Meanwhile, a new stadium, named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's youngest son Sheikh Russel, was built at the historic Paltan Maidan in the last three months, ahead of the World Cup.About roll ballRoll ball is a game played between two teams of 12 players. Out of 12, only six players are allowed to play on court at a time. This game is played on skates. The ball can be held in single or both hands, even during passing. A player must dribble the ball while carrying it. Players of both teams have to score goals and the team who are able to score more goals than the opponent wins. There are two referees in a match. This game was created by Raju Dabhade of Pune City, India while he was the sports teacher at MES Bal Shikshan Mandir, an English medium school. He is also the secretary of the International Roll Ball Federation.