BSS, Barhatta :
The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman National Gold Cup Football tournament (U-17) was formally inaugurated on Saturday through fabulous ceremony with a match between Baushi Union of Barhatta team and Barhatta Sadar Union team at Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium at Barhatta Upazila in Netrokona district.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr Biren Sikder MP formally inaugurated the tournament as the chief guest.
Deputy Minister Arif Khan Joy MP, Parliamentary Standing Committee’s Chairman on Youth and Sports Zahid Ahasan Russel, Youth and Sports Secretary Mohammad Abdullah, National Sports Council Secretary Mohammad Masud Karim, Mymensingh range DIG Nibash Chandra Majhi and Brazil Embassy’s councilor to Dhaka Miltonodi F Coutiho Felow were also present on the occasion.
Mymensingh divisional commissioner Mahmud Hasan presided over the opening ceremony.
In order to bring back the golden days of the country’s football, the Youth and Sports Ministry decided to arrange the tournament, named after the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, across the country in each year.
The Ministry also has a plan to arrange the girls’ tournament from next year.
The tournament will be held in knock out basis at upazila, district, division phase and finally it will rolled in Dhaka where players from educational institutions, clubs and football academies will take part.
To successfully host the tournament, a committee has been formed in upazila, district and divisional phases. Executive officer for upazila, Deputy Commissioner for District and divisional commissioner for division will do their respective duty of committee’s president.
The champions and runners-up team of upazila, district, division and national phase will get trophy and financial reward while the highest scorer and best player will also be awarded with prize.
It’s a historical initiative by the Youth and Sports Ministry to arrange such kind of tournament in the name of Father of the Nation. A total of 1,25,000 players from 5,500 schools across the country are taking part in the prestigious tournament.
A total of 40 players will be selected through this tournament and they will be given special training at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Prothistan later stage.
