The team failed to win a single game during their 12-day trip but they did not allow that disappointment to affect them.

"It was a great experience. We have met so many people and learned so many things during the competition that it will be helpful for us in the future. It's sad that we could not win a match but we hope to win next time," said captain Nabila Ahmed Tisha to reporters at the Zia International Airport yesterday morning.

With the players merrily posing for photographs holding aloft the glittering trophy and piercing the silence of the North Canopy at ZIA with youthful screams, team leader Itrat M Rahman said that the team was rewarded for its all-round participation.

"They participated in the inaugural programme and all cultural shows, played well, maintained punctuality and sporting spirit which earned them the Best Participating Team award among 215 teams from 39 countries," said Itrat Rahman.

"The standard of the opposition were too high and our girls will have to learn a lot," she added.

Playing in the Under-16 group, Scholastica lost to two teams from Denmark, Bosnia, Iceland, Monaco and France and received walkover against hosts Italy.

"Denmark lifted the under-16 title while Bosnia were runners-up and both played in our group," informed coach Farhad Jesmin.

"This was their first foreign tour and facing strong teams did not help. Also, the long journey had an affect. We lost the matches marginally to teams from Europe where handball is a very popular game. We saw at least 30-40 handball grounds in a small town like Teramo," Jesmin said adding that the other participating team from Bangladesh -- Viqarunnissa Noon School which participated in the under-14 group -- also lost their group matches and got walkover in one game.

Scholastica Principal Wasima Parveen who received the team, said that the award was recognition for the country.

"They were disciplined, organised, they had that sense of participation by watching all the matches and cheering the others," Parveen said.

"The Italians said they were well-behaved and cultured. The girls also took part in the cultural shows to present Bangladesh's heritage. I think the exposure they got and the way they earned us this recognition is more important than the result."