Rangpur target hexa

Fresh from lifting the Notun Kuri Sports title, Rangpur's young female footballers have set their sights on another milestone as they chase a record sixth crown in the JFA Under-14 Youth Development Programme.

A 20-member squad, led by coach Ruma Akter and captained by Anannya Khanam, left Palichhara Stadium in Rangpur on Thursday for Tangail, where one of Bangladesh's premier age-group women's football tournaments begins on Friday.

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Jointly organised by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and the Japan Football Association (JFA), the competition has long served as a key platform for developing the country's future female footballers, with several national team players emerging through the tournament.

Five-time champions Rangpur will open their Group A campaign against Jhenaidah on Friday before taking on Chapainawabganj on August 9 and hosts Tangail on August 11. Group B consists of Gaibandha, Rangamati, Magura and Rajbari. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals on August 14, with the final scheduled for August 16.

Coach Ruma Akter, who has guided Rangpur to titles in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2025, believes her side is ready for another successful campaign.

"Our target is a sixth title," she said in a programme on Wednesday. "The girls have prepared well, and we are confident of producing our best football."

Captain Anannya echoed that confidence after the team's recent success.

"Winning the Notun Kuri Sports title has given us even more belief," she said. "Everyone is in good form, and we want to continue our winning run by bringing another trophy home."

With a rich tradition of producing talented footballers, Palichhara has established itself as one of Bangladesh's leading nurseries for women's football. Now, Rangpur's rising stars are hoping to add another chapter to that legacy by becoming the first team to win the JFA Under-14 title six times.