The closing ceremony and prize distribution program of Bangabandhu 8th President Cup Fencing Tournament 2023 were held in Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in city’s Mirpur 10 area on Sunday.
Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University, Bangabandhu Chair and Bangladesh Bank’s former Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman attended the event as the chief guest.
Dr. Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed, Commissioner of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Khurshid Alam, Executive Director (Grade 1) of Bangladesh Bank, AKM Shameem Chowdhuri, former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister and Ziaul Hasan, Deputy Director General (Training) of Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) joined the event as special guests.
Ansar-VDP became champions in the above tournament while Mirpur Fencing Club became first runners-up and Bengal Sports Academy turned out to be the second runners-up.
AKM Shameem Chowdhury extended compliments to the fencers who contested the tournament.
He spoke very high of the fencing officials including Bangladesh Fencing Federation (BFF) President Shoeb Chowdhury for organizing this contest in the middle of the ongoing political instability across Bangladesh.
Khurshid Alam recollected Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members who were assassinated on 15 August 1975. Khurshid Alam assured Bangladesh Fencing Federation about giving necessary support from the banking sector.
Dr. Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was very fond of playing football. Bangabandhu established Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP), Bangladesh Football Federation and Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Ziaul Hasan paid tribute to the memory of Sheikh Mujib, three million martyrs who were killed during the Liberation War of 1971 and the martyrs of 15 August 1975.
BFF Vice President Borhan Uddin Ahmed conveyed greetings, best wishes and compliments to all participants of the tournament.
He highly praised BFF President Shoeb Chowdhury for promoting the sport of fencing all over Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Fencing Federation President Shoeb Chowdhury admired chief guest Dr. Atiur Rahman saying that Dr. Atiur Rahman was the most successful Governor of Bangladesh Bank during whose tenure Bangladesh obtained a great deal of socio-economic advancement.
Shoeb Chowdhury urged the authorities concerned to lay more emphasis on indoor games with references to archery and fencing.
Dr. Atiur Rahman appreciated the dynamic and proactive role by Bangladesh Fencing Federation President Shoeb Chowdhury.
He congratulated all fencing teams that took part in the contest. Dr. Atiur Rahman thanked BFF officials for naming the tournament after Bangabandhu. “Bangabandhu is the symbol of our existence,” he said.
Dr. Atiur Rahman expressed optimism that the youths of Bangladesh will drive the country forward in days to come.
Bangladesh Fencing Federation General Secretary Selim Omrao Khan said that Bangladesh gained a broad extent of momentum in sports under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s capable daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.