Bangladesh improved their rank bagging bronze medal in the tournament. After losing to gold medallists Uzbekistan and hosts India, the Bangladesh cagers bounced back to secure the third place defeating Nepal and Sri Lanka in the Middle Asia Zone.

The victory over Sri Lanka was their first against the islanders in five meetings.

Federation officials were hopeful the team would do well in the upcoming SARRC tournament which Bangladesh hosts from December 19-24. Nitol-Tata is likely to sponsor the regional meet.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman, who attended the reception as chief guest, assured that a modern basketball court in six divisional headquarters would be constructed.

Abdul Matlub Ahmed, chairman of Nitol group, declared cash award for the players. Each player will get Tk 5,000. But declared the amount would be five times better if hosts Bangladesh clinched the SAARC title.

Executive director of Transcom Beverage Golam Quddus Chowdhury, BBF president Major General (retd) ZA Khan and other federation officials also attended the function.

Bangladesh team: Fazle Samad, Nesabul Islam, Mizanur Rahman, Rsahed Uzzaman, Sulip Barua, Lutfur Rahman, Kamruzzaman, Mostafa Kamal, Monil Miah, Imran Khan and Arfan Uddin Ahmed.

Head coach: Wasif Ali.