Emphasizing on sports and physical exercises, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that talent develops through them, patriotism and sense of responsibility increases.
He said this at the closing ceremony of the ‘Sheikh Hasina Interbank Football Tournament 2023’ at the Army Stadium in the capital on Friday (June 09) afternoon.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that through sports, physical exercise and culture, just as people’s intelligence is developed, so the people of our country are energized, self-confidence increases, love for the country increases, sense of responsibility increases, sense of duty increases.
He said, the more our children are involved in sports, the more I think they should be involved not only in education, but also in sports, physical exercise, and cultural activities.
Sheikh Hasina said, I want Bangladesh to be the best in the world in all aspects. Bangladesh will advance in all aspects of sports, economic development. Bangladesh will continue with dignity in the world court. Bangladesh should move forward with self dignity.
Highlighting the family relationship with football, the Prime Minister said, I have a family relationship with football. My father played football, my grandfather was a football player. Even our grandchildren play football.Even our grandchildren play football. From that point of view, we have a different relationship with football. More than that, football is the most popular sport in Bangladesh.
Appreciating the Bangladesh Bank Association for organizing this football tournament, he said that this event has created an unprecedented response across the country. This event should not stop here. There are many sports in our country. Those games should also be added slowly so that this kind of competition can continue.
Sheikh Hasina said that excellence will be achieved through competition. And from here we can play the World Cup at the international level. Maybe I can win the World Cup one day.
Promising to make a stadium in view of the demands of the Bank Association, the Prime Minister said, the Bank Association has demanded a stadium from me, of course I will make a stadium. There is a cricket stadium in Purbachal, we will make arrangements to have a stadium for our sports along with another football stadium near it.
Thanking Allah for the rain, Sheikh Hasina said, “I thank Allah Rabbul Alamin, as it has been hot for the past few days, by the grace of Allah, it has rained yesterday and today, as if this rain has brought us a message of peace.” I know we’re having some trouble, I know we won’t have it.
Before participating in the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sat at the stadium and enjoyed the second half of the final match of the tournament. Union Bank won the title by defeating Al-Arafah Bank 2-1 in this tournament organized for the first time.
The Prime Minister distributed trophies and prizes among the winning and runner-up teams.
Two songs were performed in a short cultural program before the prize distribution ceremony. Gallery filled spectators enjoyed the final game, cultural program and award ceremony.
Among others, Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russell, Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed and Chairman of Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB). Nazrul Islam Majumder.
The ‘Sheikh Hasina Inter-Bank Football Tournament’ started on May 13 with the participation of 34 banks. Bangladesh Association of Banks organized this tournament in collaboration with Army Sports Board.
