A 20-member Sports Authority of India's (SAI) National Women's Hockey Academy team arrived in Dhaka on Monday to play six friendly matches against Bangladesh Women's Hockey team beginning today (Tuesday) at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium in the city, reports UNB.
Bangladesh Women's Hockey team will play a six-match series ahead of their maiden participation in the eight-team Women's Junior (U-21) AHF Cup Asia Cup Hockey Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Singapore from September 9-15 this year.
The first friendly match will kick at 04:00 pm.
Youth and Sports Secretary Dr Zafar Uddin will inaugurate the event as the chief guest.
The 2nd friendly match is scheduled for August 22 at 04:00 pm while 3rd on August 23 at 07:00 pm, 4th one on August 25 at 04:00 pm, 5th one on August 26 at 07:00 pm and the 6th and last match on August 28 at 04:00 pm, all at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium.
Senior Vice-President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) Abdur Rashid Shikder disclosed this at a press conference at the Bangladesh Hockey Federation office on Monday.
"We'll announce our 18-member final squad for the upcoming Women's Junior AHF Cup Hockey Qualifiers after the 3rd friendly match on August 23," Rashid said.
Girls are going to participate in the first time in an international event. It's just a beginning of women's hockey in Bangladesh.
We have a plan to form a senior women's hockey team in addition to arrange women's hockey league," the BHF senior vice-president added.
BHF executive members Badrul Islam Dipu, Khawja Taher Latif Munna, new advisory coach of Bangladesh Ajay Kumar Bansal, assistant coaches Shahidullah Titu and Hedayetul Islam Rajib, and players of Bangladesh Women's Hockey team were also present on the occasion.
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