Bangladesh U-17 Women’s Handball Team have made history as they emerged champions in the youth category of Bangabandhu IHF Challenge Trophy Women’s 2023 round one (South-Central Asia Zone 2) beating their Indian opponents by 46-43 goals in the thrilling final at Shaheed Capt (retd) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium here on Wednesday.

Bangladesh Handball Federation hosted the IHF Trophy in 2016. The federation decided to host this regional meet after a long seven years this year and named it after Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Bangladeshis girls for the first time beat India at any level of international handball. The U-17s will now play against Central Asian nations in round two of IHF Challenge Trophy as the champions of the South-Central Asia Zone 2. 

Bangladesh U-17s skipper Mst Marfi scored highest 15 goals for the home side in the final while her teammates Runa Layla, Taniya, Dipa Rani, Fatema Prema and Sania Akter contributed 14, 10, 5, 1 and 1 goals respectively. For India, Renuka scored highest 16 goals.

“I’m very happy. Thanks to all coaches, players, officials- everyone has supported us a lot,” Marfi said after the final.

“We’ve never beaten India in my playing career, but for the first time as a coach I touched this feat. I had confidence in my girls. Marfi, Runa, Dipa and others gave their best in this competition,” said U-17 coach Dalia Akhter. 

In the final of the junior category of the tournament, Bangladesh U-19 Women’s Handball Team lost to the same opponents by 17-48 goals at the same venue.

Bangladesh Olympic Association Secretary General Syed Shahed Reza handed over the trophies in the closing ceremony.

Bangladesh Handball Federation President AKM Nurul Fazal Bulbul, General Secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor, Tournament Organising Committee Chairman and former Senior Secretary Md Aminul Islam were also present.