How Sports Defined Bangladesh in 2025

The year 2025 will be remembered as a remarkable and contrasting chapter in Bangladesh’s sporting history. While few sector struggled, new stars emerged and athletes across disciplines rewrote narratives both at home and internationally. From hockey prodigies and para athletes delivering historic triumphs to achievements in archery, chess, and para games, Bangladesh’s sporting story was one of resilience, breakthrough achievements, and powerful symbolism.

Beyond the dazzling victories, however, the nation also faced serious challenges from selection controversies in hockey to harassment allegations that sparked urgent conversations about governance and athlete welfare.

Mixed results on the field

Bangladesh’s men’s cricket team had a year of ups and downs, with several solid performances tempered by inconsistencies. The year began with a hard-fought victory over Pakistan, but the team later suffered a setback by losing a series to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In T20s, Bangladesh showed resilience, winning five out of eight series, including crucial victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

However, their performance in ODIs was far from stellar. While Bangladesh won a series against the West Indies, they faltered in other series, losing to both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

The team’s struggles continued in Test cricket, where despite playing three series, they only managed to win against Ireland

Youth Hockey Signals a Bright Future

One of the most compelling stories of the year came from Bangladesh’s youth hockey teams at the Under-21 Youth Hockey World Cup in Madurai, India. Competing for the first time, the boys’ team delivered a stunning performance, winning the Challenger Trophy with a 5–2 victory over Austria and finishing 17th overall.

At the heart of this success was Amirul Islam, whose extraordinary performance saw him score 18 goals, making him the highest goal scorer in Youth World Cup history and earning multiple Player of the Match awards. His achievement marked an unprecedented milestone for Bangladesh on the global hockey stage.

The Under-18 women’s team also won a bronze medal by defeating Kazakhstan, signaling growth and depth in the sport’s development across both genders.

However, the senior men’s team faced a different reality. Despite participating in the Asia Cup and the World Cup playoff series, the seniors struggled, including a challenging series against Pakistan that saw Bangladesh concede 26 goals over three matches. Additionally, controversy surrounded the exclusion of veteran player Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, raising questions about team selection and respect for experience.

Kabaddi: Quiet Steps and Historic Footprints

As Bangladesh’s national sport, kabaddi continued its steady rise in 2025. The women’s national team reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Dhaka, defeating Thailand and earning Bangladesh’s first world-level kabaddi medal — a significant breakthrough in a sport often overshadowed by cricket.

At the Asian Youth Games, both boys’ and girls’ kabaddi teams earned bronze medals, marking the first time Bangladesh earned kabaddi medals at the event. Despite limited attention, these achievements reflected the deep roots and growing competitiveness of kabaddi nationally.

Archery: From Medals to Continental Leadership

Bangladesh’s progress in archery was both athletic and administrative in 2025. Veteran figure Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal was elected President of Asian Archery, leading to the federation’s headquarters being relocated to Dhaka, a milestone that placed Bangladesh at the center of the continent’s archery community.

On the field, Bangladeshi archers maintained their competitive edge. At the Asian Archery Championships hosted in Dhaka, the team secured silver and bronze medals, while Abdur Rahman Alif won gold at the Asia Cup in Singapore, reaffirming the nation’s growing stature in the sport.

Chess: New Masters and Enduring Legends

2025 proved to be a meaningful year for Bangladeshi chess. Wadifa Ahmed emerged as the country’s fourth Woman International Master after winning the Asian Zonal Championship, joining an elite group of elite female chess players.

Legacy and continuity also defined chess achievements. Tahsin Tajwar Zia, son of the late Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman, earned his third International Master norm, edging closer to the prestigious 2400 rating milestone. Meanwhile, Niaz Morshed, the subcontinent’s first Grandmaster, won the national championship at age 59, demonstrating that elite skill and competitive spirit can defy age.

Table Tennis and Swimming: Small Arenas, Big Statements

Bangladesh’s mixed doubles pair Javed Ahmed and Khoy Khoy Marma made history by winning silver at the Islamic Solidarity Games, marking the country’s best ever result in table tennis.

Swimming also shone, with Samiul Islam Rafi collecting medals at international invitational meets in Singapore and Malaysia, signaling the nation’s rising presence beyond traditional aquatic competitions.

Para Sports: Inspiring Courage and Achievement

If there was one chapter that defined the spirit of Bangladesh’s sporting year, it was para athletics and para games. At the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, Bangladesh achieved its largest medal haul in history at a youth para event five medals, including three gold and two bronze.

Athletes like Chaiti Rani Deb, who won gold in both the javelin throw and 100m sprint, and Mohammad Shahidullah, who captured gold in the 50m freestyle and bronze in the 100m despite competing with a single leg, dominated headlines. The women’s wheelchair basketball team also secured bronze, completing a historic and inspiring campaign built on resilience and belief.

Other Sports: Progress in the Shadows

Although less frontpage attention was given to them, several sports maintained momentum in 2025. Golfer Jamal Hossain delivered a standout performance at the BPGA Open with a 24-under-par victory, underscoring the presence of world-class talent in golf.

In boxing, Zinnat Ferdous clinched gold at the National Championships, emerging as a leader in a sport driven more by personal grit than institutional backing.

Competitive depth also showed in volleyball, where the CAVA Cup sustained regional engagement, and handball and women’s baseball continued to strengthen their competitive circuits. Women’s baseball, in particular, saw the Police Women team crowned champions, reflecting steady growth for the sport across gender lines.

Off-Field Challenges: Harassment Allegations Shake Bangladesh Sports

2025 was not without serious challenges. High-profile sexual harassment allegations surfaced within the sports community, triggering nationwide concern. Former national cricket captain Jahanara Alam was among the first to speak out, followed by shooters Ema, Sharmin Akter Ratna, and Kamrun Nahar Kali, who accused a prominent official of misconduct.

In response, the National Sports Council (NSC) formed an investigation committee, which — as of this report, has yet to release its findings. The controversy exposed urgent gaps in accountability, governance, and athlete protection, sparking public debate over institutional responsibilities.

A Year of Triumph, Transition, and Reflection

Bangladesh’s sports narrative in 2025 was a tapestry of contrasting threads historic breakthroughs and quiet resilience, meteoric individual achievements and systemic challenges. While some senior teams faced setbacks, the nation’s youth, para athletes, and rising talents ensured that Bangladesh’s sporting spirit remained vibrant and hopeful.

From hockey’s global declaration on the world stage to para athletes rewriting the record books, and from chess legends proving ageless mastery to off-field controversies demanding institutional reform, the year defied simple summary. It was a testament to the depth, diversity, and dynamism of Bangladesh’s sporting culture, a culture no longer defined by one discipline, but by the collective achievements of many.