Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has clinched the championship title of Sheikh Hasina Inter-Bank Football Tournament 2024 by defeating Standard Bank PLC at 2-0 goals in the final match held at the capital's Army Stadium.
In the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the championship trophy to Islami Bank Managing Director Mohammed Monirul Moula, deputy managing directors Md Akiz Uddin and Kazi Md Rezaul Karim and the team captain.
Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) Chairman Md Nazrul Islam Majumdar presided over the event.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment Salman F Rahman; Youth and Sports Minister Nazmul Hasan; Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, OSP, SGP, PSC; Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, and Tournament Organising Committee President AKM Nurul Fazal Bulbul were present among others.
BAB organised the second iteration of the tournament, participated by 31 private banks across the country. The Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) of Bangladesh Army had lent their support to make this tournament possible.
Senior executives and officials of various banks were present at the concluding ceremony.
PM emphasises importance of sports
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday reiterated the government's commitment to creating facilities across various sectors to ensure the country's comprehensive advancement in the future.
"We want the country to progress in every stratum, including sports, in the coming days," she said while giving away prizes to the winners of the Sheikh Hasina Interbank Football Tournament 2024 at the Bangladesh Army Stadium.
The prime minister highlighted the importance of sports in fostering a competitive spirit and self-improvement. “Sports help to create an attitude of competition and induce the spirit to upgrade oneself,” she said.
"Through sports, education, and cultural activities, everyone will have the opportunity to flourish and showcase their creativity. This is why we prioritise sports," she added.
Sheikh Hasina also mentioned the government's initiative to construct mini-stadiums in every upazila, named Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium, to ensure year-round competition at the upazila level.
"We are trying to make people more attentive to various kinds of sports," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that all over Bangladesh, there are Bangmata Gold Cup football tournaments for girls and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib football tournaments for boys.
“Good players are gradually emerging from there. They are not only in the country, but they are bringing recognition for Bangladesh at the international level. Presenting Bangladesh to the world through sports is what they are doing,” she said.
Stressing the need for training, she said that it is mostly needed.
“That is why we are establishing one BKSP in each division,” she added.
The prime minister said that the government wanted the country to progress in all aspects of sports.
“Today we have done digital Bangladesh. We have improved our economy, we have cut down the poverty rate by more than half, now at 18.7 per cent.”
She also said that the rate of extreme poverty was above 25 per cent, now it has come down to 5.6 per cent.
“Inshallah, no one will be extremely poor in Bangladesh. I am giving a house to everyone free of charge, giving textbooks, giving scholarships, and providing all kinds of support.”
She mentioned that as Bangladesh progresses at the international level as well, it will continue this trend.
“Bangladesh will advance in the world court at an unstoppable speed, as a developed-rich smart Bangladesh.”
Earlier, the prime minister watched the second half of the final match and enjoyed a cultural programme.
