Bangabandhu 8th President Cup Fencing Tournament kicks off

SPORTS DESK: 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.

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.

Lieutenant General (Retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled called upon the fencers to acquire advancement and successes in their personal and sporting 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.

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 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 tournament 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.