National Gold Cup Football tournament (U-17 boys' and girls') begins today in Magura. Photo : BSS

MAGURA, Jan 21, 2025 (BSS)- National Gold Cup Football tournament (U-17 boys'
and girls') has begun at Magura district stadium on Tuesday.
 
A total of eight teams-- one boys' and one girls' team from each of the four
upazilas of the district-- are participating in the meet.

To mark the Festival of Youth, Magura District Administration and District
Sports Office jointly organised the event.

Khulna Additional Divisional Commissioner (general) Md. Hossain Shawkat was
present as the chief guest in the opening ceremony.

Speaking as the chief guest, he said sports competitions played a vital role
in helping the young generation to have healthy entertainment and move
forward in the right direction.

BPM Superintendent of Police, Magura Meena Mahmuda, who was present there as
a special guest, said sports are very important in physical and mental
development for teenagers.

Dr Shamim Kabir, civil surgeon of Magura, was also present there. Sports are
helpful in building a health conscious society, he said.

Magura Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Ahidul Islam presided over the event.
The DC said that talented players need to emerge from the local level to
succeed at the national level.

In the inaugural match, U-17 girls' team of Magura sadar upazila and U-17
girls' team of Shalikha upazila participated in the opening match.

The competition has been hailed as a unique initiative to encourage and
inspire the young generation.