Bangladesh were off to a bright start in the  Bangamata Asian Senior Women’s Central Zone International Volleyball Championship which was formally inaugurated yesterday at Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh outplayed Afghanistan 25-9, 25-9, 25-3 in their first match to make a fresh start in international volleyball after 2014. Earlier Maldives earned a hard fought 3-2 sets victory over Kyrgyzstan in the opening match of five nation tournament. National Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury formally inaugurated the six-day meet as the chief guest.

Apart from host Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, The Maldives and Kyrgyzstan are taking part in the six-day meet, organized by Bangladesh Volleyball Federation BVF.

The top two teams will lock horn in the final scheduled to be held on November 14 at 3 pm following the third-place deciding encounter at 1 pm.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Abdur Razzaque is expected to attend the closing ceremony of the tournament as chief guest and distribute the prizes.