Bangladesh are gearing up for hosting the 2nd Women's Kabaddi World Cup 2025, starting from November 17 at the Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur.

Originally supposed to feature 14 teams, the eight-day tournament has been reduced to an 11-team affair as Argentina, the Netherlands South Korea and Japan have pulled out while Poland have been added from reserves list. The participating teams are: Bangladesh, India, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Iran, Kenya, Nepal, Poland, Thailand, Uganda and Zanzibar.

India are the defending champions – winners from the first edition which was held in Patna, India way back in 2012.

Bangladesh's women, who finished fifth in that event, will look to improve on that performance, having completed an extensive preparation phase despite the tournament being postponed twice.

S M Nawaz Shohag, the general secretary of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, informed at a press conference on Saturday that an official trophy unveiling will be held in presence of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his official residence, Jamuna, on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Arduzzaman Munshi, one of the all-time best players of the country, is guiding the team in this global event. Munshi is confident of a strong showing from the hosts.

"Playing at home gives us extra motivation. Apart from India, we have the strength to beat any team. We have trained consistently, and we are hopeful of winning a medal. From our side, we will give our utmost effort," he said recently.

Veteran Rupali Akter will wear the captain's armband for the first time in her career, and this will be the final tournament of her playing career. "It feels really good to be captain in a World Cup. This responsibility is something special for me. We have prepared well, and this time we want to do even better than before," she said.

Bangladesh squad:

Sraboni Mallik, Brishti Biswas, Rupali Akter Sr, Smriti Akter, Rekha Akhteri, Mebi Chakma, Rupali Akter, Anjuara Ratri, Sucharita Chakma, Khadija Khatun, Loba Akter, Yasmin Khanam, Israt Jahan Sadika and Tahrim.