The Thakurgaon district women’s hockey team emerged as the Rajshahi-Dinajpur regional champion of the BRAC Bank Aparajeyo Alo Women’s Hockey Tournament 2025.
In the final match on Sunday, Thakurgaon secured a decisive 3-0 victory over runner-up Rajshahi.
BRAC Bank and the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) jointly launched this tournament on November 2. BRAC Bank’s participation is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which aims to identify talented women players at the district level and foster the overall development of women’s hockey in the country.
Organizers reported that the women’s hockey teams from Joypurhat, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Thakurgaon, and Rangpur districts participated in the Rajshahi-Dinajpur regional matches. Each team played four games, and the highest-achieving teams advanced to the regional final.
The Thakurgaon district women’s hockey team, which had topped the regional table after four consecutive wins, began the final by playing pressing hockey. The Rajshahi defense frustrated them in the first quarter. Still, Ritu Rani Sen broke the deadlock in the second, scoring two goals. Roti added the third, sealing Thakurgaon’s victory. Rajshahi was unable to convert any of their chances despite trying hard.
At the end of the game, Toktok Talukder, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education & ICT) of Rajshahi, presented the prizes to the champion and runner-up teams. Lipa Monalisa of Thakurgaon was named the Player of the Match, and her teammate, Rani Akhter Riamoni, received the Best Player of the Tournament award.
Rekha Moni of the Thakurgaon team won the Rising Star Award for scoring the highest (8) goals in the region. Mahua of the Rajshahi team was recognized as the Best Goalkeeper of the region.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) General Secretary, Lt Col (Retd.) Riazul Hasan confirmed that the tournament will be held in two phases. The first phase involves competition among 18 district-based teams from four regions: Rajshahi-Dinajpur, Mymensingh, Jessore, and Cumilla. The champion team from each of these four regions, along with BKSP, will participate in the second phase.
The official tournament schedule was announced earlier at a press conference organized by the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) on October 30 at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium.
Ekram Kabir, Chief Communication Officer of BRAC Bank, commented on the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to once again associate with the BHF in the development of women’s hockey in the country. BRAC Bank believes in the limitless potential of women. Through this tournament, their unbeatable strength and confidence will light the way for the progress of the country’s sports.”
BRAC Bank has demonstrated a long-term commitment to developing women’s hockey in the country. The bank is dedicated to developing and empowering future women players by consistently organizing domestic competitions.
As evidence of this commitment, BRAC Bank also supported a women’s hockey tournament in Dhaka earlier this year. That event featured 11 teams, with BKSP emerging as the champion.