The inaugural program of Sheikh Russel 1st Junior & Cadet Fencing Competition 2021 was held in the capital’s Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur on Monday.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Tazul Islam graced the event as the chief guest.

Bangladesh Bank’s former Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman, Additional Inspector General of Police SM Ruhul Amin, Agrani Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Parimal Singh, Secretary of National Sports Council attended the program as special guests.

President of Bangladesh Fencing Association (BFA) Shoeb Chowdhury presided over the inaugural ceremony. BFA General Secretary Selim Omrao Khan gave the welcome speech. BFA Joint General Secretary Rezaur Rahman Sinha anchored the program.

Selim Omrao Khan welcomed all the participating teams of the competition and thanked them for joining the contest. He spoke very high of BFA President Shoeb Chowdhury for his unwavering dedication and hard work for promoting the game of fencing in Bangladesh. Shoeb Chowdhury joined Bangladesh Fencing Association as the organization’s President in 2017 and since then he has been making the best of his efforts to boost fencing and uplift the players’ confidence, Selim Omrao Khan further said.

Chief guest Tazul Islam appreciated the initiatives of the officials of Bangladesh Fencing Association to host this tournament for youngsters. He commented that Bangladeshi fencers can glorify the country’s image abroad with their skills and performance. Bangladesh has made immense progress during last several years under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s capable daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Tazul Islam stated. Tazul Islam added that Bangladesh has all the acumen to shine in sports including the game of fencing.

Additional IG of Bangladesh Police SM Ruhul Amin expressed his pleasure at the participation of young boys and girls in the tournament. He admired the endeavours of BFA officials for holding this contest. He conveyed his best wishes to the contestants for their successful careers in fencing.

Dr. Atiur Rahman said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the founding father of Bangladesh who wanted Bangladesh to do well in sports too. Referring to Bangabandhu’s Unfinished Memoirs, Dr. Atiur Rahman said that Bangabandhu loved sports and he wanted the country’s youths to get involved in sports and games to raise the country’s honour.

BFA President Shoeb Chowdhury said that Bangladeshi fencers won eleven medals including one gold medal in the South Asian Games 2019. Shoeb Chowdhury commented that Bangladesh would not have been created if Bangabandhu was not born. He paid tribute to the departed souls of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all his family members including Sheikh Russel who were assassinated on 15 August 1975. Shoeb Chowdhury thanked the sponsors of the tournament for coming up to cooperate with Bangladesh Fencing Association.