Gazipur: The Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Cricket Tournament was inaugurated on Tuesday (January 21) at the RRN Pilot Government High School grounds in Kaliganj. The event was organized under the initiative of Kaliganj Municipal BNP Sports Secretary Md. Kausar Ahmed Kajol and Kaliganj Municipal Jubo Dal Member Md. Zahidul Islam Manu.

The ceremony was attended by a host of prominent figures, with Md. Solaiman Alam, Advisor and former General Secretary of the Kaliganj Upazila BNP, present as the chief guest. Mohammad Hossain Arman Master, President of the Kaliganj Municipal BNP, served as the inaugurator. The event was presided over by Md. Ibrahim Pradhan, General Secretary of the Kaliganj Municipal BNP.

Special guests included Kaliganj Upazila BNP’s Organizational Secretary Md. Farid Ahmed and former Mayor of Kaliganj Municipality Md. Lutfur Rahman, along with leaders and members of various BNP-affiliated organizations from Kaliganj Upazila and the municipality.

During his address, the chief guest expressed his gratitude to the organizers, sports enthusiasts, athletes, and distinguished guests present at the event. He emphasized the importance of youth participation in sports and constructive activities for building an ideal nation. Highlighting the role of sports in promoting health and discipline, he urged the younger generation to engage actively in sporting events. He remarked that sports play a crucial role in steering youth away from addiction and other harmful activities, while also fostering unity and resilience.

The chief guest also commended the initiative to host the memorial tournament, stating that it serves as an inspiration for youth engagement in sports and cultural activities. However, he noted the lack of opportunities for producing skilled athletes in Kaliganj in recent years. He attributed this to the adverse conditions during the tenure of what he described as a repressive and fascist government, which he claimed failed to support sports infrastructure and development in the region.

The Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Cricket Tournament aims to revive the sporting spirit among the youth of Kaliganj and honor the memory of Arafat Rahman Koko, a well-known figure in the sports community. The event has brought together players, organizers, and community leaders in a shared effort to promote healthy competition and nurture local talent.