Hosts Bangladesh have been placed alongside Argentina and England in Group A in the third edition of the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi Tournament which will get underway in Dhaka Monday.
Other three teams of the group are Iraq, Nepal and Poland while Group B comprises Kenya, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.
The eight-day kabaddi extravaganza will feature highest 12 countries for the first time, four more than the previous edition held last year.
“This tournament is already one of the biggest kabaddi tournaments in the international arena. We are all focused to go ahead establishing Bangladesh as a true force both on and off the field,” Habibur Rahman, the general secretary of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation and the Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh Police, said during an official presser Sunday.
The trophy was also unveiled amid the participation of the 12 captains.
Bangladesh are the champions of the two previous editions and captain Tuhin Tarafder hopes to maintain their supremacy.
“We have worked hard for the last couple of weeks and the team are stronger than the last editions. We are very hopeful of retaining the title,” said the skipper.
Bangladesh will face Poland in the tournament opener at National Volleyball Stadium in the afternoon.
Group A - Bangladesh, Iraq, Nepal, England, Argentina, Poland
Group B - Kenya, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Chinese Taipei