Govt wants to promote sports, games: PM

Hasina accords reception to SAFF U-15 girls' football team

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday accorded a reception to Bangladesh girls' football team for clinching the title of the inaugural edition of the SAFF Under-15 Women's Championship, saying that they've brought a huge honour for the country, reports BSS.

“Becoming unbeaten champions in the SAFF Under-15 tournament by defeating favourites India twice was not an easy task for our girls' soccer team ... it's a huge achievement for Bangladesh,” she said.

The sports-lover prime minister hosted the reception for the Bangladesh girls’ football team at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital yesterday afternoon.

Sheikh Hasina urged the boys and girls to give more attention to the sports and games side by side their studies.

“The more they get involved in games and sports, they will have a good mental health and physically healthy ... their minds will be broadened and they will not step into the wrong path,” she said.

Describing football as a popular game in Bangladesh, she said it should be given proper attention.

Recalling their family's involvement with football, the prime minister said, "Bangabandhu and my grandfather used to play football. Besides, my elder brother Sheikh Kamal was associated with Abahani Club, a leading sports club of the country,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to promote sports and games, and culture alongside education. In this connection, she mentioned the introduction of Bangabandhu and Bangamata Gold Cups in football for the primary school students. These tournaments have been encouraging primary school students in playing soccer, she said.

Later, the prime minister handed over gifts to the players of Bangladesh girls' soccer team and its officials.

South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Salahuddin delivered the welcome address at the programme.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, PM's Private Sector Development Affairs Advisor Salman F Rahman, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, Awami League Youth and Sports Secretary Harunur Rashid and other senior officials of the BFF were present on the occasion.

Bangladesh became the unbeaten champions in the SAFF Under-15 Women's Championship as they defeated India by 1-0 in the final at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mostafa Kamal Stadium on December 24.

The hosts remained unbeaten, conceding not a single goal in the tournament. After crushing Nepal 6-0 in their first match, the girls beat Bhutan 3-0 and India 3-0 in the run up to the final.

Govt wants to promote sports, games: PM

Hasina accords reception to SAFF U-15 girls football team

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday accorded a reception to Bangladesh girls football team for clinching the title of the inaugural edition of the SAFF Under-15 Womens Championship, saying that theyve brought a huge honour for the country, reports BSS. Becoming unbeaten champions in the SAFF Under-15 tournament by defeating favourites India twice was not an easy task for our girls soccer team ... its a huge achievement for Bangladesh, she said. The sports-lover prime minister hosted the reception for the Bangladesh girls football team at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital yesterday afternoon. Sheikh Hasina urged the boys and girls to give more attention to the sports and games side by side their studies. The more they get involved in games and sports, they will have a good mental health and physically healthy ... their minds will be broadened and they will not step into the wrong path, she said. Describing football as a popular game in Bangladesh, she said it should be given proper attention. Recalling their familys involvement with football, the prime minister said, Bangabandhu and my grandfather used to play football. Besides, my elder brother Sheikh Kamal was associated with Abahani Club, a leading sports club of the country, she said. Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to promote sports and games, and culture alongside education. In this connection, she mentioned the introduction of Bangabandhu and Bangamata Gold Cups in football for the primary school students. These tournaments have been encouraging primary school students in playing soccer, she said. Later, the prime minister handed over gifts to the players of Bangladesh girls soccer team and its officials. South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Salahuddin delivered the welcome address at the programme. Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, PMs Private Sector Development Affairs Advisor Salman F Rahman, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, Awami League Youth and Sports Secretary Harunur Rashid and other senior officials of the BFF were present on the occasion. Bangladesh became the unbeaten champions in the SAFF Under-15 Womens Championship as they defeated India by 1-0 in the final at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mostafa Kamal Stadium on December 24. The hosts remained unbeaten, conceding not a single goal in the tournament. After crushing Nepal 6-0 in their first match, the girls beat Bhutan 3-0 and India 3-0 in the run up to the final.