DHAKA, Jan 10, 2021 (BSS) – ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Dhaka Marathon 2021’, the first ever marathon marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was held today.
Under the entire supervision of Bangladesh Army, the marathon was started from Army Stadium in the morning and concluded at the city’s Hatirjheel, said an ISPR press release said today.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan MP formally inaugurated the meet as chief guest while State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Zahid Ahsan Russell MP was present as special guest.
After the competition, the prize distribution ceremony was held at the Hatirjheel’s Amphy Theater with Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed was chief guest at closing ceremony and distributed the prizes.
The army chief in his speech paid homage to greatest Bengali of all time Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for organising Bangabandhu Dhaka Marathon as well as to take the country on the path of prosperity, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also expressed his optimism to arrange the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Dhaka Marathon on January 10 every year on occasion of Bangabandhu’s homecoming day.
The army chief thanked the participating local and foreign runners and organisers to make the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Dhaka Marathon a success.
A total of 200 runners took part in the event. Of them — 100 took part in full marathon while 100 in half marathon. Among the thirty five runners, twenty three elite runners from France, Kenya, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Belarus, Lesotho, Ukraine, Spain and Morocco and twelve elite runners from the Maldives, Nepal, India took part in the marathon.