The BRAC Bank Aporajeyo Alo Women’s Hockey Tournament 2025 is set to begin on November 2, aiming to promote women’s hockey and expand participation across Bangladesh. Organised by the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) and supported by BRAC Bank, the competition will feature 18 district teams divided into four regional zones: Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Jashore, and Cumilla.
The announcement was made on Thursday at a press conference held at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka. Senior officials from both organisations, including BHF General Secretary Lt. Col. (retd) Riazul Hasan and BRAC Bank’s Chief Communication Officer Ekram Kabir, attended the event.
The nationwide tournament will take place in two phases. In the first phase, district teams will compete within their zones: Joypurhat, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Thakurgaon, and Rangpur in Zone 1 (Rajshahi); Narayanganj, Kishoreganj, Dhaka, Netrakona, and Mymensingh in Zone 2 (Mymensingh); Jashore, Narail, Jhenaidah, and Patuakhali in Zone 3 (Jashore); and Chattogram, Cumilla, Cox’s Bazar, and Sylhet in Zone 4 (Cumilla).
Each zone’s champion will qualify for the final round in December, where BKSP will join as the fifth contender. The goal of the tournament is to identify and nurture talented female players at the district level, providing them with a pathway to national recognition.
Speaking at the press conference, Lt. Col. (retd) Riazul Hasan said, “With BRAC Bank’s support, we aim to take women’s hockey to a new height. They previously sponsored our Women’s Open Development Cup, and now the initiative is even bigger, involving more districts. We want to ensure more girls get opportunities to play and strengthen the sport’s foundation.”
Every player will receive complete playing gear from BHF, including jerseys, practice kits, leggings, tracksuits, stick bags, and backpacks, ensuring professional-level preparation and inclusivity for all participants.
BRAC Bank’s Chief Communication Officer Ekram Kabir expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “We are delighted to work again with the Bangladesh Hockey Federation to promote women’s hockey. BRAC Bank believes in the limitless potential of women. Through this tournament, we hope to showcase their strength and confidence, lighting the way for the future of Bangladeshi sports.”
He added that the bank has incorporated this initiative into its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget, allocating Tk 99 lakh to support women’s education and sports.
Earlier this year, BRAC Bank also sponsored a women’s hockey competition where BKSP emerged as champions among 11 teams. Building on that success, the bank and the federation are now expanding the initiative to reach deeper into the grassroots level.
Recently, Bangladesh’s Under-18 women’s hockey team earned recognition and financial rewards from the National Sports Council after winning a bronze medal at the Asia Cup. The BHF has also urged the Bangladesh Olympic Association to allow the women’s national team to participate in the upcoming Asian Games qualifiers, a reflection of the growing confidence in women’s hockey in Bangladesh.
