Dhaka -The Bangladesh Women’s Juniors Hockey squad reached Singapore on Wednesday afternoon to participate in the Women’s Juniors (U-21) AHF Cup Hockey Qualifiers to be held September 9–15 in the city-state. The squad comprising 18 players and four officials left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday morning to take part in their first international hockey tournament.
Bangladesh team, which is being accommodated at Mitraa Inn Hotel in Singapore, will enjoy a full rest on Wednesday ahead of their first practice session on Thursday.
Bangladesh Coach Tariquzzaman Nannu said, “We will take rest today (Wednesday), will start our training session from Thursday, we are communicating with the local organizer and participating teams to arrange some preparatory matches for us ahead of the main tournament”.
Six Asian countries– Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, debutants Bangladesh and hosts Singapore–will participate in the ensuing tournament on round-robin basis.
Bangladesh will play the first game against Singapore on September 9, Sri Lanka on September 10, Hong Kong on September 11, Uzbekistan on September 13 and Chinese Taipei on September 15 respectively.
Two top teams will be qualified for the final round of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in Japan on October 2020 along-side China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, who are directly qualified for the meet based on their results in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2015.
Earlier, Bangladesh Women’s Hockey team played a six-match series against Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Academy Women’s Hockey team at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium from August 20 to 28, as a part of their preparation for the competition, but lost all the six matches.
Bangladesh Women’s Hockey team: Sumi Aktar, Riya Aktar Swarna (VC), Ritu Khanom (C), Joyariya Ferdousi Joita, Mukta Khatun, Rani Aktar Riamoni, Parvin Aktar, Lima Khatun, Fardia Aktar Ratri, Sanjida, Aktar Sathi, Sanjida Ajtar Moni, Mokseda Munni, Nadira, Nomita Sarkar, Sadia Khatun, Tarin Aktar Khushi, Arpita Paul and Tasmim Aktar Mim.
Officials: Tariquzzaman Nannu (Head Coach), Hedayatul Islam Rajib (Assistant Coach), Shahidullah Titu (Assistant Coach) and Parvin Nasima Putul (Coordinator).UNB
