36th July Gold Cup Football Tournament Kicks Off in 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. The district administration and the district sports association have been jointly organising the tournament with participation of eight football teams in two groups, with one each from all eight upazilas of the district. Mokbul Hossain, martyr Abu Sayeed's father, was present as the guest of honor at the event 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.

Martyr Abu Sayeed's elder brother Md Ramjan Ali, District Sports Officer Masud Rana, family members of July Uprising martyrs, people from different walks of life and journalists were present at the function. The chief guest in his speech said that sports are one of the means of increasing the physical capacity of people as well as building mental strength. Addressing the players, he said, "In every competition, there will be losses and wins," he said, and urged the players to give a beautiful tournament by following the rules and regulations. In the inaugural match, the Sadar upazila team beat Kawnia upazila team by 1-0 goal today.