Ansar-VDP clinches championship title

 

The closing ceremony and prize distribution program of Bangabandhu 8th President Cup Fencing Tournament 2023 were held in Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur 10, Dhaka on Sunday. Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University, Bangabandhu Chair and Bangladesh Bank's former Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman attended the event as the chief guest. Dr. Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed, Commissioner of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Khurshid Alam, Executive Director (Grade 1) of Bangladesh Bank, AKM Shameem Chowdhuri, former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister and Ziaul Hasan, Deputy Director General (Training) of Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) joined the event as special guests.

Ansar-VDP became champions in the above tournament while Mirpur Fencing Club became first runners-up and Bengal Sports Academy turned out to be the second runners-up.

AKM Shameem Chowdhury extended compliments to the fencers who contested in this tournament. At the same time AKM Shameem Chowdhuri spoke very high of the fencing officials including Bangladesh Fencing Federation (BFF) President Shoeb Chowdhury for organizing this contest in the middle of the ongoing political instability across Bangladesh. AKM Shameem Chowdhuri said that Bangladesh would not have been created if Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not born. Bangabandhu's tireless efforts led to the independence of Bangladesh, AKM Shameem Chowdhuri further said. AKM Shameem Chowdhuri called upon the fencers to hold Bangabandhu's ideology in their hearts and to love Bangladesh.

Khurshid Alam recollected Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members who were assassinated on 15 August 1975. He thanked fencing officials for inviting him. Khurshid Alam assured Bangladesh Fencing Federation about giving necessary support from the banking sector.

Dr. Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was very fond of playing football. Bangabandhu established Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP), Bangladesh Football Federation and Bangladesh Cricket Board, Dr. Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed told in his speech.

Ziaul Hasan paid tribute to the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, three million martyrs who were killed during the Liberation War of 1971 and the martyrs who were assassinated on 15 August 1975. Ziaul Hasan said that Ansar-VDP takes part in all sports and games and brings honour for Bangladesh from both at home and abroad.

BFF Vice President Borhan Uddin Ahmed conveyed greetings, best wishes and compliments to all participants of the tournament. He highly praised BFF President Shoeb Chowdhury for promoting the game of fencing all over Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Fencing Federation President Shoeb Chowdhury admired chief guest Dr. Atiur Rahman saying that Dr. Atiur Rahman was the most successful Governor of Bangladesh Bank during whose tenure Bangladesh obtained a great deal of socio-economic advancement. Shoeb Chowdhury urged the authorities concerned to lay more emphasis on indoor games with references to archery and fencing. Players of both these indoor games have performed very well in local as well as foreign competitions, Shoeb Chowdhury stated. He recalled that fencing was not so well-known when he took over the charge of BFF President in 2017. However, later on through the strong initiatives of fencing officials, a good number of fencing contests were held. Bangladeshi fencers won 11 medals including one gold medal from the South Asian Games of 2019, Shoeb Chowdhury informed. Shoeb Chowdhury added that fencing is one of the oldest Olympic sports. Shoeb Chowdhury also talked about a Hollywood film named Gladiator which includes sword fights. He extended felicitations to all fencers. Shoeb Chowdhury recalled Bangabandhu saying, "Nobody can hold us down".

Dr. Atiur Rahman appreciated the dynamic and proactive role by Bangladesh Fencing Federation President Shoeb Chowdhury. Dr. Atiur Rahman congratulated all fencing teams that took part in the contest. Dr. Atiur Rahman thanked BFF officials for naming the tournament after Bangabandhu. "Bangabandhu is the symbol of our existence" Dr. Atiur Rahman said. Dr. Atiur Rahman told the audiences that fencing was not so popular before 2017.

 Shoeb Chowdhury became the President of Bangladesh Fencing Federation in 2017 and through his robust drive now everyone in Bangladesh knows about fencing, Dr. Atiur Rahman added. Dr. Atiur Rahman recalled that Shoeb Chowdhury played a key role in boosting archery earlier. Bangabandhu was a football player in his youth, Dr. Atiur Rahman said. Dr. Atiur Rahman expressed optimism that the youths of Bangladesh will drive the country forward in days to come.

Bangladesh Fencing Federation General Secretary Selim Omrao Khan said that Bangladesh gained a broad extent of momentum in sports under the leadership of Bangabandhu's capable daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.