Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the maiden Sheikh Russell International Club Cup Tennis Tournament-2019, jointly organised by Khulna District Administration and Khulna Officers Club at Circuit House tennis court in Khulna. The PM opened the tournament through a video conferencing from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital on Wednesday.
A brief presentation on the Sheikh Russell International Club Cup Tennis Tournament was also screened on the occasion. Mayor of Khulna City Corporation Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Sheikh Helal Uddin, MP, Sheikh Salah Uddin, MP, Abdus Salam Murshedi, MP, Md Akhterujjaman, MP, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Anwar Hossain Hawlader, Chairman of Zilla Parishad Sheikh Harunur Rashid, Police Commissioner Khandoker Lutful Kabir, DIG Dr Khondoker Mohid Uddin and others joined the video conference from the premises of Sheikh Russell International Tennis Complex in Khulna.
As many as 19 countries including host Bangladesh, USA, UK, Italy, India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Australia and Nepal are taking part in the tournament. A total of 64 players, including 10 women players, are participating in the tournament. Two control offices opened in Khulna (Circuit House and Officers Club) and will work relentless to present results of the game time to time. Khulna District Administration and Officers Club jointly organised the tournament.
BSS adds: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for sports and cultural activities alongside academic pursuits to make the youths, teenagers and children as worthy citizens of the country. “Our target is to make the youths, teenagers and children as the worthy citizens of the country. So, it is necessary for them to take part in sports and cultural activities alongside academic pursuits to groom themselves as worthy citizens,” she said at the video conferencing.
“The importance of sports and culture is essential to keep children away from militancy, terrorism and drugs,” she said. She went on saying, “We want our children to participate in sports and cultural competitions alongside studies for developing their sound health and mind.”
The premier said sports and cultural activities instill sense of discipline, responsibility, patriotism to children which is crucial for making them as worthy citizens. She said the government was constructing mini-stadiums at each of the upazilas so that players’ can practices in proper way to nourish their talents.
Mentioning herself as a sports family member, Sheikh Hasina said her grandfather Sheikh Lutfur Rahman, father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and two brothers Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Kamal were footballers. She also said wives of Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Kamal were also involved in sports.
The prime minister said her government attached special importance to sports and cultural activities as such pursuits can help children build their mental and physical health. PM’s Political Adviser HT Imam and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam were present on the dais. PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman moderated the function while Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports Md. Akhter Hossain gave brief address on the overall development of sports.
Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan, and PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan Papon, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Salahuddin and ambassadors and high commissioners were also present.
