Bangladesh Hockey Federation on Thursday accorded a reception to both Bangladesh men's and women's under-21 hockey teams following their campaigns in the Men's and Women's Hockey Junior Asia Cup. 

Bangladesh men's team qualified for the Junior World Cup after finishing fifth out of 10 teams while Bangladesh Women's team became ninth out of 10 teams in the tournaments held in Oman last month.

Following the qualification for December's Junior World Cup as the first-ever Bangladeshi hockey team at any level, the game's governing body awarded each member of the men's team a cash-award worth Tk 50,000 as well as crests while each member of women's team were given crest to recognise their maiden appearance in the top level Asian tournament. 

The day-long programme at Bangladesh Air Force base in Kurmitola saw the players enjoy a cultural programme, the first of its kind, and participated in singing and dancing. 

BHF president air chief marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan thanked the sponsors including Bangladesh Cricket Board who helped the game's governing body to prepare the boys and girls for the tournaments.

The BHF president also instructed the players to focus more on the game in a bid to produce even better results in future. 

Hasan Mahmood also reiterated the federation's desire to organise five-six month training for Junior World Cup and hoped that more sponsors would come forward to extend financial help to the under-21 team. 

BCB president Faruque Ahmed said that the players are the ambassadors of the country and that their performance and behaviour reflected the country.