In what promises to be a milestone moment for the nation's sporting history, Dhaka is all set to host the IKF Women's Kabaddi World Cup for the very first time.
The grand spectacle, featuring 14 participating nations, will take place at the Shaheed Suhrawardy National Indoor Stadium in Mirpur from 15 to 25 November 2025. The estimated budget for the tournament has been fixed at Tk 10.44 crore.
The official announcement came on Thursday during a press conference at the Bangladesh Olympic Association, where the tournament's official logo was also unveiled in a festive ceremony attended by officials and dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, SM Nawaz Sohag, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, described the World Cup as a "festival of youth and pride" for the country.
"We are hosting this World Cup as part of a celebration of youth and national spirit. For any nation, hosting a World Cup is a matter of immense honour," said Sohag.
When asked about the sizable expenditure, Sohag explained that the financial structure of the event had been carefully planned to ensure transparency and sustainability.
"The International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) will provide air tickets for visiting teams which is equal to Taka 3.5 crore. We will not seek direct funds from IKF," he noted.
"The government has already committed Taka 5 crore, while the remaining amount will be raised through sponsorships. We believe this World Cup will leave a lasting, positive impact on Bangladesh's kabaddi scene."
For a nation where Kabaddi holds deep cultural roots, the upcoming World Cup stands as a golden opportunity to rekindle national pride, promote tourism, and showcase Bangladesh's organisational prowess on the world stage.
