The "Prothom Alo-Star News Women's Football Tournament 2026"—aimed at unearthing future talent from remote regions of the country—officially kicked off on Saturday morning (September 26) with a grand opening ceremony at Shaheed Abu Sayed Stadium in Rangpur.
Organized jointly by Prothom Alo and Star News in collaboration with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), the nationwide tournament features 36 BFF-registered one-star academies playing on a knockout basis, with Rangpur hosting the inaugural leg.
Rangpur Development Authority Chairman and District Sports Association Member Secretary Shamsuzzaman Samu inaugurated the tournament as the chief guest alongside special attraction, national women's football team star defender and former captain Afeida Khandaker. Dignitaries present at the ceremony included tournament committee chairperson and sports personality Kamrun Nahar Dana, Rangpur District Football Association (DFA) President Manjur Ahmed Azad, Vice-President Shamim Khan Miskin, Prothom Alo Head of Sports Utpol Shuvro, and Star News CEO MokHsedul Kamal. In the opening match of the Rangpur regional round, the Toster Football Academy from Boda upazila, Panchagarh, defeated Sadhyapukurani Yuva Sporting Club of Rangpur 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Farhaduzzaman Faruk, Rangpur Bureau • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
