DHAKA, June 16, 2025 (BSS)- The national phase of National Gold Cup Football 
tournament (U-17 boys' and girls') has begun at Mohammadpur Govt. Physical 
Education College ground in the capital today (Monday).

Youth and Sports Secretary Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam formally inaugurated the 
tournament as the chief guest. Youth and Sports Ministry's Additional 
Secretary Md Iqbal Hossain and Md Mostafa Zaman, director of Directorate of 
Sports, were also present in the opening ceremony.  

The national phase has begun with talented under-17 boys and girls from eight 
divisions of the country, under the initiative of Directorate of Sports and 
Ministry of Youth and Sports. 

In the opening match, the Khulna Division boys' team defeated Barisal 
Division boys' team by 1-0 goal to secure their spot of semi-finals.

Al Kafi of Khulna division scored the all-important goal in the 2nd minute of 
the match.

The tournament began with the upazila level in June last year. Nearly 
1,10,264 players from across the country took part in the meet. The 
tournaments then concluded at the district and divisional level in February 
this year. 

The final of the tournament is slated for June 19 at National Stadium.

Forty boys and equal number of girls will be selected from this tournament. 
These budding footballers will later make their place at the national and 
international levels in the future.