Rangpur: The ‘July 36 Gold Cup Football Tournament-2025’ kicked off at Rangpur Stadium in the city with the theme “Let’s Change the Country, Change the World” this afternoon. Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam inaugurated the tournament by hoisting the national flag and releasing balloons in a colorful ceremony as the chief guest.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the district administration and the district sports association have been jointly organizing the tournament with the participation of eight football teams, divided into two groups, representing all eight upazilas of the district. Mokbul Hossain, martyr Abu Sayeed’s father, attended the event as the guest of honor, which was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal.
Additional Police Commissioner of Rangpur Range DIG office Shah Mamtazul Islam, Additional Police Commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Naresh Chakma, and Rangpur Superintendent of Police Md Abu Saim were present as special guests. Also in attendance were martyr Abu Sayeed’s elder brother Md Ramjan Ali, District Sports Officer Masud Rana, family members of July Uprising martyrs, various community members, and journalists.
In his speech, the chief guest emphasized that sports serve as a means to enhance physical capacity and build mental strength. Addressing the players, he reminded them that every competition involves both losses and wins, urging them to deliver an excellent tournament by adhering to the rules and regulations.
In the inaugural match, the Sadar upazila team defeated the Kawnia upazila team with a score of 1-0.