Around 10,600 athletes will compete for 1338 medals – 396 of gold equal number of silver and 546 of bronze – in the 9th Bangabandhu Bangladesh Games scheduled to be held from April 1-10 in 31 disciplines.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally declare the opening of the 9th Bangladesh Games and the curtain of the games will be raised through a gala ceremony on April 1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The Bangladesh Games is the biggest sports event of the country and in the ‘Mujib Barsho’ the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) has decided to dedicate the games paying homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
To make the Bangladesh Games a success, the BOA has formed organizing committee making Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as chief patron and Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal MP as chairman. The BOA also formed sixteen sub committees for the Bangladesh Games.
The torch of the Games, which will be brought to Dhaka after being lit up at Tungipara, the birth place of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on March 31.
It was disclosed by Bangabandhu Bangladesh Games steering committee’s chairman Sheikh Boshir Ahmed at a press conference on Thursday at Kurmitola Golf Club Banquet Hall in the city.
The official logo and games mascot were also unveiled prior to the press conference.
Replying to a question, Boshir informed that the name of the torchbearer for the games will be selected from among the country’s famed athletes who earlier lifted the flag at home and abroad in international events. However, it will be finalized after the games organizing committee’s meeting on March 10.
Responding to another query, games steering committee’s chairman informed that the theme song of the games is currently under process and it will be released after the organising committee’s meeting.
Boshir informed that participating athletes of thirty one federations have already started their training from mid February and the BOA allotted fund among the 31 federations so that the sportsmen can take preparation without any hassle.
The BOA also has a plan to give cash award to the sportswomen, who will break the record in the Games, he added.
This time 1250 athletes of last year’s Youth Games will take part in 9th Bangladesh Games, the BOA has a plan to groom up the talented sportsmen, who performs brilliantly in the games, for the future events, Boshir informed.
BOA Secretary General Syed Shahed Reza, Games media and publicity committee’s member Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol and steering committee’s member secretary Ashikur Rahman Miku were also present at the press conference.
