BSS, Dhaka :
Bangladesh retained the title of the second Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi Tournament with second successive time beating Kenya by 34-31 points with two creditable ‘lonas’ in the contested final match, which was held on Thursday at the Shaheed Nur Hossian National Volleyball Stadium in the city.
The winners’ led the first half by 17-14 points with one ‘lona’. In a keenly contested match Bangladesh players kept their nerve cool to beat their African rivals Kenya with tactical efficiency. Bangladesh skipper Tuhin Tarafder, raider Arduzzaman Munshi, Razib Ahmed and Robiul were superb to steer Bangladesh to retain the prestigious title again.
Kenya started strong taking a 5-3 lead in the first five minutes using their height advantage. Bangladesh top raider Arduzzaman Munshi was a constant threat in the Kenyan defence, Kenya’s Haggai Odhiambo Ogak was the leader of Kenyan attacks in the opening minutes. However both the teams were cautious over not losing their men as at the end of the 15th the score line was 8-7.
Bangladesh started to fight back and at the 17th minute the host had all the seven in the court against Kenya’s two. Tuhin Tarafdder’s raid made the score line 12-12 with only one Kenyan player alive in the court. Bangladesh completed the first ‘lona’ in the 19th minute running to take a three point lead at 15-12. Bangladesh led the first half 17-14. Kenya dominated the initial minutes running to 18-17 lead inserting immense pressure on the hosts, but two superb catches led by Tuhin Tarafder saw Bangladesh lead 22-19 after five minutes in the second half.
Raider Razib’s beautiful somersault saw Kenya lose two players making Kenya a two men team.
Bangladesh won the second ‘lona’ in the 26th minute to an eight point lead with the scoreline 29-21. Kenya never lost their focus and continued to proceed cautiously and with minutes leaf the scoreline was 32-31. State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP, was the chief guest in the final and distributed the prizes.
