Bangabandhu 8th President Cup Fencing Tournament kicks off

 

The inaugural ceremony of Bangabandhu 8th President Cup Fencing Tournament was held in Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur 10, Dhaka on Wednesday. Planning Minister MA Mannan MP attended the program as the chief guest.

Former Commandant of National Defence College Lieutenant General (Retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled and the Prime Minister's former Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri were present at the event as special guests.

Bangladesh Fencing Federation (BFF) General Secretary Selim Omrao Khan gave the welcome speech at the inaugural ceremony.

AKM Shameem Chowdhuri said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman liberated Bangladesh with his unflinching leadership. Bangladesh would not have been created if Bangabandhu was not born, AKM Shameem Chowdhuri further said. Bangladesh became independent in exchange of the blood of three million martyrs, AKM Shameem Chowdhuri stated. He urged the fencers to keep Bangabandhu and Bangladesh in their heads and hearts while playing in fencing matches. AKM Shameem Chowdhuri applauded Bangladesh Fencing Federation President Shoeb Chowdhury for promoting the game of fencing across Bangladesh.

Lieutenant General (Retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled called upon the fencers to acquire advancement and successes in their lives with fencing skills. Fencing has become known all over Bangladesh as a result of the strong initiatives by the officials of Bangladesh Fencing Federation including its President Shoeb Chowdhury, Sheikh Mamun Khaled remarked. He extended compliments to the organizers of the tournament and greeted the fencers who are participating in this contest.

Planning Minister MA Mannan said that Bangabandhu is the architect of Bangladesh. MA Mannan further said that he became familiar with fencing through the fencing competitions held by Bangladesh Fencing Federation. Fencing is an event in Olympic Games, MA Mannan told the audiences. Peace and stability are essential for sports to expand, MA Mannan commented. He told fencers to keep their sports and studies at the same time. MA Mannan offered his best wishes for the all out success of fencers.

Bangladesh Fencing Federation President Shoeb Chowdhury said, "I am highly delighted to see that we have been able to organize a fencing contest though a violent political situation is going on in Bangladesh." Shoeb Chowdhury thanked all guests and fencing officials for being a part of the contest. He expressed his love and gratitude to fencers for coming to the inaugural ceremony showing courage despite the ongoing blockade by opposition political parties. Shoeb Chowdhury recalled Bangabandhu saying, "No one can hold Bengalis down". Bangladeshi fencers won 11 medals including one gold medal in the South Asian Games of 2019, Shoeb Chowdhury recollected.