Bangladesh retained the title of the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi Tournament after they beat Chinese Taipei by 42-28 points with three Lonas in the final at the National Kabaddi Stadium in the capital on Tuesday.
 
This year, it was the third edition of the tournament and Bangladesh now have come out victorious in all three meets. On their way to the championship, Bangladesh also maintained an all-win record like the previous two editions.
 
Bangladesh earlier clinched the title in the first two editions after beating African nation Kenya in the final in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
 
On Tuesday, Bangladesh faced a tough challenge at the beginning of the match from the young budding squad of Chinese Taipei.
 
The experienced Bangladesh side took the lead for the first time in the contest in the 11th minute and they finished the first half with 20-14 points.
 
The home team, inspired by the skipper Tuhin Tarafder, executed their special strategies on their opponents in the second half and they gave Chinese Taipei players no chance to get past their gridlock in the remaining part of the match.

 “All the credit goes to my players, my supporting staff and the entire kabaddi federation. Chinese Taipei are a very strong side because they reached here by winning every match. No one can say that we have defeated a weaker side,” said Tuhin after the match.
 
“We want to dedicate our hat-trick trophy to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family. Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a sports lover and this tournament has been named after her father,” the captain added.
 
Tuhin became the best player and the best catcher of the final while his teammate Mizanur Rahman was adjudged the most valuable player and best raider of the tournament.
 
State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell MP distributed prizes as the chief guest after the final.
 
The Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation President and Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Chowdhury Abdullah al Mamun presided over the closing ceremony.
 
AKF Secretary General Mohammad Sarwar, IKF Secretary General Sathasivam Munisamy, BKF General Secretary and Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Habibur Rahman, BKF Joint Secretary and Additional Deputy Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Gazi Mozammel Huq and others were also present on the occasion.
 
Both Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei earlier confirmed their berth in the next Kabaddi World Cup by reaching the final of the meet.