The Zia International Rapid Rating Chess Tournament began at Ekok Sangha Club in Sirajganj town on Saturday, with 75 players from across the country taking part.

The tournament was inaugurated at around 10am at the club on Mujib Road in the municipal area.

Bangladesh Nationalist Sports Party, Sirajganj district unit, organised the tournament with support from the Bangladesh Chess Federation and Ekok Sangha Club.

BNP Central Executive Committee member and Sirajganj district unit General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bachchu, also president of Ekok Sangha Club, inaugurated the tournament.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Bachchu said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has attached great importance to sports and has pledged to establish a playground in every union of the country so that students and young people can engage in sports.

He urged the government to build a modern stadium and an indoor stadium in Sirajganj.

He expressed hope that such competitions would help expand chess activities in the district and create new talented players.

District Chhatra Dal President Junaet Hossain Shobuj, Bangladesh Nationalist Sports Party Sirajganj unit convener Mohammad Hedayetul Islam Fruit and Member Secretary Mohammad Ashraful Alam Alim, among others, spoke at the event.

Joint Convener Nur-e-Alam Dakku, journalist and committee member HM Mokaddes, and other leaders and members of the organisation were also present.

Ashraful Alam Alim said 75 chess players, including international-rated players, from all 64 districts are participating in the tournament.

Under the rapid rating format, each player will have 10 minutes and an additional five seconds per move.

A total of 21 players will be awarded prizes, with Tk 51,500 allocated as prize money.

The tournament drew a large crowd of players and spectators at Ekok Sangha Club from the morning, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere as players from different parts of the country joined the competition.