The Artisan Sixth National Men’s and Third National Women’s Sepak Takraw Championship began on Friday at the Paltan Ground in Dhaka. The two-day competition was inaugurated in the morning by Kazi Nazrul Islam, Executive Director of the National Sports Council.
Speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony, Kazi Nazrul Islam praised the progress of Sepak Takraw in Bangladesh. “Although Sepak Takraw is not yet a popular sport in Bangladesh, the way it is developing makes me believe it can reach a strong position internationally. I hope success will come in this sport. It is important to organise this tournament regularly,” he said.
He also encouraged participation in international competitions and assured government support if the teams perform well. At the same time, he urged sponsors to come forward, saying, “It is not possible for the government alone to take everything forward.”
This year’s competition features 20 districts in the men’s division and 10 in the women’s division. The men’s teams have been divided into four groups of five, while the women’s teams are competing in two groups of five.
Group-stage matches are being held today, followed by the semi-finals and finals for both divisions tomorrow (Saturday). A mixed quad event will also take place tomorrow, featuring eight participating teams.
Special guests at the opening ceremony included Jahin Sajidul Islam, Marketing Director and Business Unit Head of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd; Md Tafijul Islam Pial, Director of CD Operations and Excellence at Unilever Bangladesh Ltd; and Anita Gomez, Chairman of Artisan Outfitters Ltd.
Also present were Ali Ahmed Russell, Vice-President of the Sepak Takraw Association, and Faruk Dhali, General Secretary of the association.
