Dhaka: The 35th National Men’s Handball competition, organized by Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF), will commence at the Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the capital tomorrow (Tuesday). BHF vice-president and local government division joint secretary, Dr. Abu Nasar Mohammad Abdullah, is expected to inaugurate the tournament as the chief guest.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a total of 23 teams from services and district sports associations will compete in two phases of the tournament. In the first phase, eleven teams split into two groups will battle it out, while the second phase will see twelve teams, also divided into two groups, competing.
The later stages of the competition will feature the four group champion teams from each phase advancing to the semifinals. The participating teams in the first phase include Group A, which consists of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, Jashore District Sports Association (DSA), Faridpur, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, and Joypurhat. Group B includes Chattogram, Rajshahi DSAs, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Madaripur, and Mymensingh DSAs.
In the second phase, Group C features Bangladesh Police Handball Club, Dhaka, Sunamganj, Narayanganj, Bogura, and Bagerhat DSAs. Group D is comprised of Bandarban, Chapainawabganj, Kushtia, Panchagarh, Narail, and Dinajpur DSAs.