Bangladesh’s women’s kabaddi team made a commanding start to their Asian Beach Games campaign, thrashing Thailand 51–34 in their opening match in Sanya, China on Thursday.
Facing one of the tournament’s strong sides, Bangladesh delivered a dominant all-round performance to secure a convincing 17-point victory, immediately establishing themselves as early favourites in the competition.
From the outset, Bangladesh played with an aggressive intent. Their raiders showed sharpness and precision, while the defenders stood firm to neutralise Thailand’s attempts to gain momentum. Despite some early resistance from Thailand, Bangladesh steadily took control and entered halftime with a comfortable 10-point lead.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Bangladesh excelling in both raiding and defensive departments. Thailand attempted a late comeback, but Bangladesh’s disciplined and tactical approach ensured there was no way back for their opponents.
Bangladesh eventually piled up 51 points, leaving Thailand trailing at 34, underlining their superiority across all facets of the game.
The result reinforces Bangladesh’s growing reputation as a formidable force in beach kabaddi, particularly among South Asian teams. The emphatic win also provides a significant psychological boost as they aim for a place in the knockout stages. Bangladesh will face Nepal in their second match on Friday.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Aminul Haque congratulated the team for their impressive victory.
In a statement, he described the 17-point win as a reflection of the players’ determination, hard work and fighting spirit. He praised the team for proudly representing the nation and raising the country’s flag high on the sandy stage.
He further noted that every raid and tackle demonstrated the readiness of Bangladeshi women to take on challenges in the sporting arena. Expressing optimism, he said such performances would inspire many young girls to take up kabaddi and pave the way for greater achievements in the future.
The minister also extended his best wishes to the players, coaching staff and officials, hoping the team continues its winning momentum and brings further glory to the nation.