The finalists of the National Kabaddi Championship have been confirmed following a series of gripping semi-final encounters in both the men’s and women’s competitions. In the men’s category, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will face the Bangladesh Army in what promises to be a fiercely contested final. Meanwhile, the women’s title will be decided between Bangladesh Ansar and VDP and the Bangladesh Police, two teams that have displayed contrasting yet equally impressive paths to the summit clash.
Both finals will be staged on Saturday at the Shaheed Captain M. Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the capital. The men’s final is scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm, followed an hour later by the women’s final at 5:00 pm. At the conclusion of the matches, the Youth and Sports Secretary, Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, will attend as the chief guest and present the trophies and medals to the champions and runners-up.
The women’s first semi-final was widely regarded as one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament. Featuring squads heavily populated with national team players, BGB and Bangladesh Ansar and VDP engaged in an intense tactical and physical battle. Ansar and VDP edged the first half 16–15, reflecting the narrow margins between the two sides. After the interval, BGB briefly seized control by forcing an all-out, but late drama saw the scores level at 32–32 at the end of regulation time. The contest was ultimately decided by a tie-breaker, where composure under pressure proved decisive as Ansar and VDP prevailed 39–35.
The second women’s semi-final, by contrast, was a one-sided affair. Bangladesh Police dominated Rangamati from the outset, racing to a commanding 31–6 lead at half-time. Their superiority continued unabated in the second half, culminating in an emphatic 62–18 victory that underlined their credentials as title contenders.
In the men’s competition, BGB secured their place in the final after overcoming the Bangladesh Navy in a hard-fought semi-final. BGB established early authority with a 24–12 lead at the break. The Navy mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap through aggressive raids and disciplined defence. Despite the resurgence, BGB held firm to clinch a 40–37 win.
The other men’s semi-final between the Bangladesh Army and the Bangladesh Air Force was a closely matched encounter throughout. The teams were locked at 13–13 at half-time and continued to trade points in the second period. In the closing moments, the Army demonstrated superior nerve and execution to secure a 33–30 victory and book their place in the final.
Semi-final Results at a Glance
| Category | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Women | Ansar & VDP vs BGB | Ansar & VDP won 39–35 (tie-breaker) |
| Women | Police vs Rangamati | Police won 62–18 |
| Men | BGB vs Navy | BGB won 40–37 |
| Men | Army vs Air Force | Army won 33–30 |
With traditional rivals and disciplined forces represented in both finals, Saturday’s showdown is expected to draw significant attention from kabaddi enthusiasts across the country.
