She is confident of sports’ bright future

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hosted an iftar party for judges, diplomats, government officials and employees of the Prime Minister’s Office at her official Ganobhaban residence in Dhaka Saturday evening.
She went round different tables set for the guests, exchanged pleasantries with them and enquired about their well-being.
A special munajat was offered before the iftar seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation and eternal peace of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the August 15 and the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Senior Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Maulana Mizanur Rahman conducted the munajat.
Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, former president HM Ershad, cabinet members, chiefs of the three services, diplomats and members of Bangladesh National Cricket Team joined the iftar.
Another report says: Prime Minister Sheikh Saturday expressed her firm conviction that Bangladesh would go ahead in the area of sports keeping pace with her advancement in economy and development.
“Bangladesh would certainly win cricket world cup one day as we have already showed our capacity in defeating world champion teams recently,” she said in a reception accorded to the National Cricket Team at her official Gonobhaban residence in the afternoon.
She said Bangladesh cannot be ignored as far as cricket is concerned. Bangladesh cricket team of physically challenged players also showed their capacity abroad, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said she felt proud of the accomplishment of the national cricket team and her government would do everything to take forward the success. President of Bangladesh Cricket Board Nazmul Hasan Papon, MP, and captain of the national cricket team Mashrafee Bin Mortaza also spoke on the occasion.
Pointing out her government’s vision to make Bangladesh as a middle income country by 2021, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has already became a lower-middle country and within next two to three years its position would be improved further.
Terming the cricket players of Bangladesh team as the golden sons of the country, the Prime Minister said they had further brightened the country’s image abroad.
Sheikh Hasina urged the cricketers to play with confidence keeping themselves free of mental pressure. She said win or defeat is part of a game. “But don’t undermine the opponents nor be afraid of them”.
Sheikh Hasina urged the players to always keep in mind that Bangladesh is a nation which earned victory through long struggle and war. “We must be confident of win both in sports and other arenas.”
She assured giving her government’s all support for development of the cricket and other sports saying two more big cricket stadiums – one in Cox’s Bazar and the other on the bank of the Padma River, would be constructed.
The Prime Minister said the government is also formulating a master plan to build an Olympic Stadium and sports complex on the bank of the Padma River.
Later Bangladesh Cricket Team presented an Autograph Bat to the Prime Minister. Sheikh Hasina distributed cheques of prize money and bonus to the players for their outstanding performance in last world cup and series win against Pakistan. –Our Monitor (Photo: PID)