Bangladesh clinched the title of Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi Tournament for the third time in a row after beating Chinese Taipei in the final Tuesday.
In front of the jam-packed gallery of National Volleyball Stadium, the home side won the game by 42-28 points to conclude the campaign unbeaten.
It was an even affair in the initial stages as both sides were locked at 5-5 before Bangladesh started taking control.
Bangladesh earned three Lonas in the match and the first one was inflicted in the 15th minute.
A fine raid by skipper Tuhin Tarafder saw two Taipei players ousted, consequentially ending in the first Lona.
The opening half eventually ended 20-14 in favor of Tuhin Tarafder and Co.
The hosts returned with a bang after the break, claiming five quick points within a minute including a Lona, while the visitors couldn't make the best use of their raids.
They were all out once again as the men in red and green carried on extending the lead.
Once the final whistle blew, Bangladesh players started celebrating the hat-trick title with ecstatic joy and flags in their hands.
“Chinese Taipei are a good team. They played well to reach the final but we beat them comfortably. It's an evidence that we are improving everyday. If we carry on such performance we can win medal at the Asian Games,” said Tuhin, who was adjudged man of the final with 16 points.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel distributed prizes as the chief guest.
Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, the president of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation and Inspector General of Bangladesh Police, presided over the occasion.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh won the first edition of the meet in 2021 and successfully retained the title the following year.
The first edition was participated by five teams, the second involved eight nations in 2022 and this year 12 teams took part.
Bangladesh have never tasted any defeat in the three editions till date.
Both the finalists Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei qualified for the next edition of the Kabaddi World Cup, scheduled to be held next year.
Awards
Champions: Bangladesh
Runners-up: Chinese Taipei
Player of the final: Tuhin Tarafder
Best catcher: Tuhin Tarafder
Player of the tournament: Mizanur Rahman
Best raider of the meet: Mizanur Rahman
