India defeats Bangladesh 28–16 in the final, qualifies for Asian Women’s Handball Championship
Bhavana named Most Valuable Player after scoring 43 goals in the tournament
New Delhi: The Indian women’s handball team made the country proud by winning the gold medal at the Women’s IHF Nations Trophy – Asia Zone II tournament in Dhaka, Bangladesh. India defeated hosts Bangladesh 28–16 in the final on October 22 to clinch the title and secure qualification for the upcoming Asian Women’s Handball Championship.
Remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament, the Indian team delivered an impressive combination of attacking flair and disciplined defence. The players received a grand welcome at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi upon their return to India.
Organised by the Bangladesh Handball Federation under the aegis of the International Handball Federation (IHF), the tournament featured a round-robin stage, with the top two teams advancing to the final.
India Dominates the Final
India established control from the opening minutes, combining swift attacks with accurate finishing to take a 14–9 lead at half-time. The team maintained its momentum after the break, preventing Bangladesh from mounting a comeback and eventually sealing a convincing 28–16 victory.
Bhavana was the standout performer in the final, scoring 11 goals. She finished the tournament with 43 goals and received both the Top Scorer award and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy.
Indian captain and goalkeeper Diksha Thakur was named Player of the Match for her outstanding contribution to the title-winning performance.
Jagriti Devi and Priyanka Thakur Also Honoured
Indian players also earned individual recognition for their performances in the earlier matches. Jagriti Devi was named Most Valuable Player following her impressive display against the Maldives, while Priyanka Thakur received the same honour for her performance against Nepal.
Unbeaten Run Throughout the Tournament
India began its campaign with a commanding 40–8 victory over the Maldives before defeating hosts Bangladesh 47–13 on October 19. The team then overcame Nepal 26–11 on October 20 to secure its place in the final.
In the third-place playoff, Nepal defeated the Maldives 27–15 on October 21 to claim the bronze medal.
Qualification for Asian Championship
India’s triumph has strengthened the prospects of women’s handball in the country. The team has qualified for the Asian Women’s Handball Championship, scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan from November 23 to December 3, 2026.
Dr Anandeshwar Pandey, Executive Director of Handball Association India, congratulated the players and praised their performance. He highlighted the significance of the title in securing India’s place in the continental championship.
Manoj Kotak, interim president of the association, and Tejraj Singh, general secretary, along with other officials, also welcomed the achievement and reiterated their commitment to promoting Indian handball and providing players with greater opportunities at the international level.
The association’s officials also commended head coach Sachin Chaudhary and the support staff for their contributions to the team’s successful campaign.
The gold-medal victory marks a significant achievement for Indian women’s handball and is expected to provide fresh impetus to the sport’s development across the country.
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