Dhaka: The logo unveiling ceremony for the youth festival and the introduction of the mascot for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 in 2025 was held in the city today. The youth festival, themed 'Change the country, change the world,' is set to commence with the BPL inauguration on December 30 and will conclude on February 19 with the final of the SAFF Women's Championship in Dhaka. This vibrant festival will include sporting events, cultural shows, and concerts throughout the country. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ceremony was graced by notable figures, including Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal, representatives from the interim government, and various dignitaries. The captains of the national women's and men's teams, Nigar Sultana Joty and Najmul Hossain Shanto, along with senior cricketers Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Kaiser Hamid, Hemant Vincent, Topu Barman, Mabia Akhter Simanto, and Jobera Rahman Linu, were also in attendance. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, organized the event where attendees observed a one-minute silence in memory of the July Martyrs. A documentary on the July uprising was screened, adding gravitas to the ceremony. The Sports Adviser emphasized the festival's theme, aimed at transforming the grief of the July mass uprising into strength, while remembering the martyrs in all aspects of life. The Adviser also thanked Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, for his pivotal role in orchestrating the event. The youth festival is designed to foster national unity through sports, with cricket serving as a unifying force despite differences in various fields. Several ministries are working together to ensure the festival's success, which will encompass a range of activities, including the provision of free water at the 'Shaheed Mughdha Corner' during the BPL. Spectators will have the opportunity to donate to the July Foundation via QR codes, and each venue will feature a 'zero-waste' zone to promote environmental consciousness and recycling. In addition to sports, the festival will host three 'Music Fest' concerts in the BPL venues of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. There will also be eight boys' and eight girls' football matches organized every Friday and Saturday during the BPL, along with the 'Under-15 National Cup.' The festival aims to discover grassroots talent through debate, quiz, inter-school and college competitions, essay writing, skill contests, and a July-36 painting competition. For the first time, the BPL will feature a trophy tour, with the mascot Dana-36-a white dove with 36 colorful feathers representing peace and the memory of the July uprising-adding color to the tour. BCB President Faruque Ahmed expressed confidence that spreading the festival across the country will fulfill its intended vision, with plans already underway to engage the youth in unprecedente d ways. The full extent of its success will unfold over time, but this marks only the beginning of a promising journey.
