The 8th Bangladesh Games, the biggest domestic sports extravaganza of the country, began Saturday through a dazzling opening ceremony at the country’s premier sports venue Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the nine- day extravaganza by putting signature on a digital board at the BNS here this evening.
Fireworks, a thematic cultural show, the lighting of the torch and athlete march past were just some of the ways in which the opening ceremony of the 8th Bangladesh Games panned out at BNS.
Some 12,570 general spectators got the opportunity to enjoy the gala opening ceremony at the 25,570-seat capacity at BNS free of ticket. The gate of the stadium was opened for the spectators at 4 pm.
The estimated Taka eight crore gala opening ceremony had two eye- catching sections of lighting the torch and a thematic cultural show that included numerous aspects like rural life in Bangladesh, the liberation war, sporting effect on the society.
Shankar Shawjal led the thematic cultural show with the participation of 600 artists, music and laser lights.
The other dazzling section was lighting of the torch by noted former national hockey player Jummon Lusai. Lusai lit the torch by standing in the middle of the BNS and aiming through a laser. After the lighting of the torch, it turned into a fountain of light with the help of the laser for a few minutes.
On her arrival at the stadium, the Prime Minster was received by State Minister for Youth and Sports M Ahad Ali Sarkar and a contingent drawn from Army, including Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan.
Earlier, two tiny tots presented bouquets to the Prime Minister.
After the arrival of Sheikh Hasina, noted singer Rezwana Chowdhury Banna along with singers of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and 100 singers from Surer Dhara performed the national anthem. Then 100 participating teams joined the march-past and exit after taking oath.
Games mascot “Squirrel” the symbol of agility and speed went round of the stadium. At one stage, the mascot stood for some time in front of the Prime Minister, who later welcomed the “Squirrel” waving her hand.
Over four and half hours gala opening ceremony concluded with massive fireworks.
In the 8th Bangladesh Games a total of 6,855 athletes from 31 disciplines will fight for 2,243 medals (gold-699, silver- 699 and bronze-845) in 356 events.
The feature 31 disciplines are athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, boxing, cycling, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weight lifting, wrestling, chess, cricket, kabaddi, karate, ushu, kho kho, body building, rugby and squash rackets.
(Source: BSS)
