Portuguese Coach Miguel de Oliveira Nunes to Take Charge of Bangladesh National Handball Team on 42-Day Trial

Staff Report | PNN

Portuguese coach Miguel de Oliveira Nunes is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka to take charge of Bangladesh's national handball team. He is expected to reach the capital on November 7 and begin on-field training the following day.

The Bangladesh Handball Federation has taken the initiative to appoint him with the upcoming South Asian Games in Pakistan next April in mind.

Following the departure of a Spanish female coach, the federation is now preparing to hand responsibility for the national team's training to a male coach. However, Miguel's appointment will initially be on a trial basis. His performance will be evaluated over 42 days before a decision is made about his future.

The federation claims that Miguel has participated in the World Cup and European Championship and also has coaching experience.

Alongside responsibility for the men's team, discussions are also underway about assigning him to train the women's national team. The Asian Women's Handball Championship is scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan from November 23 to December 3. However, his appointment to the women's team will depend on the outcome of further discussions.

Federation General Secretary Salahuddin Ahmed said that once Miguel arrives in Dhaka and assumes responsibility, detailed discussions will take place regarding his working methods and training plans.

The federation also wants to utilise his experience to develop handball at the grassroots level, alongside improving the national men's and women's teams.

Salahuddin said the coach would initially be evaluated over a period of 42 days. If his performance and the team's progress during this period prove satisfactory, the federation will consider offering him a long-term contract.

However, if progress does not meet expectations, there will be no opportunity to proceed with the contract.

The federation's objective is to familiarise local players with European training methods and playing strategies. It is also placing its hopes on the new coach to help overcome Bangladesh's long-standing disappointment of not winning a gold medal at the South Asian Games.

According to Salahuddin, a continuous system for developing players at both senior and age-group levels has been established over the past two years.

He expressed hope that visible changes would emerge in the country's handball sector over the next five years. He also emphasised the importance of moving forward collectively rather than remaining focused on what had happened in the past.