The country’s athletes are preparing to compete for 396 gold medals across 31 disciplines at the Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games-2020. The 10-day Bangladesh Games will be held on April 1–10 at 20 different venues in the capital. Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Secretary General Syed Shahed Reza said this at a press conference at the Kurmitola Golf Club Banquet Hall yesterday.

He also said it was a privilege for the BOA to name after Bangabandhu the ninth edition of Bangladesh Games during the Mujib Barsha celebrations. “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was also a sportsman. Apart from football, he used to play volleyball and hockey in the 40s,” he added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has agreed to inaugurate the Games on April 1 at 6pm through a spectacular opening ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS). It will feature a show highlighting Bangabandhu’s life and times. The Games torch will be lit at Tungipara, the ancestral village of Bangabandhu, on March 31. It will be brought to the BNS on April 1 in a ceremonial way.

BOA Vice-President Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Mamun, who is also the chairman of the steering committee, also spoke on the occasion. BOA Treasurer Kazi Rajib Udin Ahmed Chapal and deputy secretaries general Ashiqur Rahman Miku and Asaduzzaman Kohinoor were also present.

“I think there is much excitement in the sporting arena about the Bangabandhu Games. The BOA will create hype for the Games from March 15,” said Shahed Reza, an avid sports lover.

The BOA has already invited high-ups of the Olympic Council of Asia and other NOCs of the region to attend the opening ceremony. The mascot of the Games, a pigeon, was launched at the press conference.

Bashir Ahmed said the theme song of the Games was being composed and different venues were being renovated. He, however, admitted that the athletics track was not fully fit to hold sprinting events.  The BOA would take a decision in this regard after holding a meeting with the Bangladesh Athletics Federation. “We have already brought the issue to the notice of the National Sports Council and told them to bring the track to a satisfactory level,” Bashir Ahmed said, adding the BOA did not want any athlete to be injured while running on an outdated track.

Bashir Ahmed, who is also the president of the Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation, disclosed that only roller-skating was a new discipline that had been included in the Games. “Over 10,600 athletes will compete for 396 gold medals and as many silver medals along with 546 bronze medals,” he said.