The Bangladesh Hockey Federation on Thursday announced the squad for the forthcoming Women’s Asian Games 2026 qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from April 23 to 29.
Bangladesh women will start their four-team Pool A campaign against Chinese Taipei at the GBK Hockey Field on April 23, marking their first-ever international appearance in the qualifying tournament.
In their other two pool matches, Zahid Hossain Raju’s charges will play Uzbekistan and Hong Kong on April 24 and 26, respectively.
Hosts Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Singapore and Sri Lanka have been pitted in Pool B, and the top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals.
The semi-finalists of the qualifiers will join hosts Japan, China, India, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand to compete in the final line-up for the main tournament to be held from September 13 to October 3.
The team is largely made up of players who played for the Bangladesh U-21 and U-18 teams at international stages and started their preparation on February 1 at the national camp at the BKSP.
Bangladesh’s age-level women’s teams have had mixed results at the international stage in recent times, as the U-21 team finished as runners-up in the Women’s Junior AHF Cup in Singapore in June 2024.
However, they finished ninth among 10 teams in the Women’s Hockey Junior (U-21) Asia Cup in Oman in December 2024.
The U-18 team clinched bronze in their maiden appearance in the Women’s U-18 Asia Cup in China in July 2025.
The 20-member Bangladesh women’s team, including two officials, is scheduled to leave home for Indonesia on April 20.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Mohua, Himadri Barua, and Sukh; Defenders: Neeladri Barua Neel, Riyasha Aktar Rishi, Ninisen Rakhain, Tonni Khatun, Dhanuching Marma, Ritu Akter; Midfielders: Nadira, Orpita Pal (captain), Fardia Akter Ratry, Sharika Safa Rimon, Fatema Tuzzohora; Forwards: Airin Akter Riya, Nadira Talukdar Ema, Kona Akter, Jakia Afroz Lima, and Sanjida Akter Moni.
