DHAKA, Jan 25, 2020 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her
government has always laid high emphasis on sports as it instills into one
the spirit to become worthy citizens.
“We want the people of the country, particularly youths to become worthy
citizens through practicing sports,” the premier said while addressing a
ceremony arranged for distributing trophies and prizes among the champion and
runner up countries of the Bangagandhu Gold Cup International Football
Tournament, 2020 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here.
The premier hoped that the children of the country will go ahead through
practicing sports as her government has always attached importance to sports
and its overall development.
In this context, she said that her government has been arranging Bangamata
Football Tournament for girls and Bangabandhu Football Tournament for boys
from the primary school level.
The Prime Minister adorned the players, coaches and team managers with
medals and distributed cheques for prize money among the best player, highest
goal scorer and players of the champion and runner-up team.
Defending Champion Palestine clinched the title for the second term by
beating Burundi by 3-1 goals.
The premier said, “I am extending special thanks to the friendly country
Palestine for becoming champion and Burundi for becoming runners-up and other
countries such as host Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Mauritius for
taking part in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the entire second half of the
final match between Palestine and Burundi at the stadium.
Welcoming the countries taking part in the tournament, the premier
said, “I hope you have liked our country. Bangladesh is a beautiful
country. I wish you will come again and again and participate in our
tournaments. We will hold these types of tournaments more in future.”
The premier congratulated — the organizers, supporters, countries
taking part in the extravaganza and the people concerned — for
successfully organizing the prestigious Bangabandhu Gold Cup
International Football Tournament, 2020, marking the birth centenary of
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A former Brazilian goalkeeper Júlio César, who attended as special guest
of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup tournament, exchanged pleasantries with Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina soon after she arrived at the stadium.
César, who arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday on a two-day visit at the
invitation of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), witnessed the final
match at the stadium.
State Minister for Ministry of Youth and Sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel,
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Md. Salahuddin and
Senior Vice-President Abdus Salam Murshedy, among others, were
present, on the occasion.
The 11-day Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament,
2020, which began on January 15 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium,
ended with the final match this evening.
A total of six countries — Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and host Bangladesh – took
part in the eleven day meet