The Walton Air Conditioner National (Under-19) Youth Female Handball Tournament, organised by Bangladesh Handball Federation, will begin today (Wednesday) in the capital after more than 15 years, reports UNB.
Eighteen teams, split into six groups, will initially compete in the first phase at the Shaheed Suhrawardy National Indoor Stadium at Mirpur and Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the city.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder will inaugurate the weeklong meet at 11:00 am at the Handball Stadium through a Magura-Panchagarh match. Six matches will be held on the opening day. Later, six group champion teams will compete in the final round that will begin tomorrow (Thursday) at the Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium.
Both the semifinals will be held on Aug 23 (Friday) while the final match is scheduled for Aug 26 (Tuesday) at 3:30 pm. The 3rd place-deciding match between the two losing semifinalists will be held on Aug 24 (Sunday) at 3:30 pm, all at the Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Handball Federation Asaduzzaman Kohinoor disclosed the details at a press conference at the Bangabandhu National Stadium conference room Tuesday.
Additional Director of the meet's sponsor RB Group (Walton) FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Dawn, Chairman of the Tournament Committee Kazi Abdul Hakim, Secretary of the Tournament Committee M Nurul Islam, and Assistant Director of Walton Majharul Islam also spoke on the occasion. Brand Ambassador of Walton Zobera Rahman Linu was present.
Of the total Tk 0.89million budget, the meet's sponsor Walton will provide Tk 0.5 million while the Handball Federation will bear the rest amount. The champion team will get Tk 35,000; runners-up Tk 25,000; the 3rd ranked team Tk 20,000 and the 4th place finisher Tk 15,000 as prize money. Best player of the tournament will get Tk 5,000.
Besides, all the participating teams will get one set of jersey in addition to food and accommodation.
Participating teams: Group A - Panchagarh, Madaripur and Magura DSAs;
Group B - Faridpur, Joypurhat and Jamalpur DSAs; Group C - BJMC, Dinajpur and Shariatpur DSAs; Group D - Dhaka, Rangamati, Naogaon DSAs; Group E - Mymensingh, Kushtia and Barisal DSAs; and Group F - Rajshahi, Jessore and Feni DSAs.
