Mirpur erupted in colour and song on Monday as Bangladesh formally opened the 2nd Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025, welcoming players, coaches and delegates from 11 nations to the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium. Adviser to the Youth and Sports Ministry Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, International Kabaddi Federation President Vinod Kumar Tiwari and BKF President Baharul Alam BPM led the inauguration as a packed crowd of school and college students watched a cultural spectacle before the opening match between Bangladesh and Uganda.
Organisers draped the arena in World Cup posters and the stadium thrummed to the theme tune Khel Khel Khel Kabaddi as guests and spectators applauded each speech. Thirteen years after the first Women’s World Cup in 2012, the scale of this edition made clear how much women’s kabaddi has grown, and visiting delegates praised Bangladesh’s preparations and organisational work.
“Kabaddi is more than just a sport for us,” Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan told the gathering. “It is a symbol of our courage, our heritage and our national identity. For generations, Bangladeshis have grown up with this game, and now it stands proudly on the world stage. Hosting this tournament in Bangladesh feels like the fulfilment of a dream.”
IKF President Vinod Kumar Tiwari underlined the tournament’s unifying potential. “I warmly welcome all players, coaches and officials to Dhaka,” he said. “I believe kabaddi will strengthen bonds among people and unite us. Let us make this tournament a memorable one.”
After the formalities, the lighting dimmed and a cultural programme fused indigenous and contemporary dance with traditional drums. Performances representing hill, plains and folk traditions celebrated the country’s heritage and set the tone for the competition. The festival atmosphere carried through to the pitch as Bangladesh prepared to meet Uganda in the opening fixture.
Beyond the spectacle, the event represents a practical step for the sport in Bangladesh and across Asia. Hosting a global women’s tournament gives local players exposure to international competition, raises the profile of women’s kabaddi at home and sends a message that Bangladesh can stage major events. Delegates’ praise of the organising effort suggests the country has delivered on those aims so far.
As the World Cup unfolds, attention will shift from the pageantry to the competition itself. For now, the opening night offered a reminder that sport and culture together can inspire a nation and bring the global kabaddi community to Dhaka’s doorstep.
