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Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games-2020 formally kicks off
DHAKA, April 1, 2021 (BSS) – The curtain of 9th version of the
country’s biggest multi-sports event, Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh
Games-2020, named after Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, officially raised today through a grand opening
ceremony at Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the event from
digital platform in the evening.
The torch of the biggest local sports show was ignited by Siddikur
Rahman, the premier golfer of the country and Mahfuza Khatun Shila,
the double gold medal winning swimmer in the last edition of the SA
Games.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the organizers for holding the
games to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the country and the birth
centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A total of 5,300 athletes from 31 different sports discipline will
vie for 1,271 medals in 378 events. Bangladesh Olympic Association,
the organizers of the game has taken the games across the country as
it takes place across 29 separate venues, which included seven
divisional venues.
The disciplines are archery, athletics, badminton, basketball,
bodybuilding, boxing, chess, cricket, cycling, fencing, football,
golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, Kho Kho,
rowing, rugby, roller skating, swimming, shooting, table tennis,
tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and Wushu.
The progress of Bangladesh sports and the future vision to upgrade
it under the competent leadership of Sheikh Hasina was presented
through an audio visual presentation before the athletes entered the
venue waving miniature flags. After the march past the ace archer of
the country Roman Sana took the oath for the players while Qamrunnahar
Hiru, the former national athlete for the judges.
Syed Shahed Reza, the secretary general of Bangladesh Olympic
Association thanked the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the chief
patron of the games for her assistance to hold the games commemorating
the 50th anniversary of countries independence and the birth centenary
of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “We look forward to move ahead
in the sports arena as Bangladesh has marked its presence in the
global aspect” he said.
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General Aziz Ahmed, the president of Bangladesh Olympic Association
and the Chief of Army Staff, paid tribute to the Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“Without the name Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Bangladesh
remains incomplete, we are proud to host the Bangladesh Games
commemorating the birth centenary of the Father of Nation and also the
50th anniversary of the country, I hope this edition of the games will
inspire the athletes to enhance the standards” said Aziz.
State minister for youth and sports Zahid Ahsan Russell MP said
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a sports lover and his passion
is duly carried by his daughter the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“We are fortunate to have such a sports loving Prime Minister, she
is the inspiration of sports in the country, under the hectic schedule
of state related work she never misses the sports events, we are
trying hard to develop our sports arena locally and internationally
and the support of the Prime Minister is always there” said Zahid
Ahsan Rusell.
The mascot of the games “Kapot” a flamboyant pigeon exchanged
greetings with the athletes transmitting the message of peace, harmony
and equity.
The cultural part of the program highlighted the contribution of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the independence and the grooming
process of the boy who turned into father of the nation.
Singers, dancers and performers displayed the heritage of the
Bengali culture, the rich tradition of the country and the efforts of
the martyrs in the struggle of independence.
The singers of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Timir Nandy, Rafikul
Alam, Shahin Samad, Bulbul Mahanabish and Dalia Nawshin mesmerizes the
audience with the a number of popular songs. Noted singer of the
country Sabina Yasmin sand ‘Jodi Rat Pohale Shona Jeto Bangabandhu
More Nai”. Rezwana Chowdhury Banya, the noted Rabindra Sangeet crooner
also sang on the occasion.
The opening ceremony concluded with vibrant fireworks and laser
show amid a huge applause of the athletes and the surrounding areas.
The games will end on April 10.
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