The opening ceremony of the 2nd Bangabandhu International Squash Tournament, organized for the second time under the patronage of Ispahani, was successfully held at Gulshan Club, Dhaka.

The tournament, organized by Bangladesh Squash Rackets Federation, is being held on a larger scale where for the first time the main tournament includes a total of three events including two international competitions with the participation of renowned squash players from home and abroad.

This tournament was organized for the first time in 2021 under the name of Bangabandhu International Squash Tournament, also under the patronage of Ispahani.

Professional players from Iran, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia will participate in the five-day long tournament from October 5-9 where 16 male players will represent Bangladesh. 

Besides, in the Satellite Tour for women, the women players of Bangladesh will play against the professional women players of Sri Lanka.

Moreover, this time there will be a youth competition divided into four groups in which more than 150 young players from 27 clubs of Dhaka, Comilla, Gopalganj, Khagrachhari and Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan will compete. 

This year’s international and youth competition matches are being held at Dhaka’s Gulshan Club, Uttara Club, Army Squash Complex and Officers’ Mess.

On October 9, the semi-finals will be telecast at 12:20pm and the final will be aired live from Gulshan Club Squash Complex at 5pm on ATN Bangla. 

The inaugural function was presided over by Muhammad Faruk Khan, MP, while the Youth and Sports Secretary, Mejbah Uddin was present as the chief guest at the program.

Besides, Ispahani Group’s director Emad Ispahani, vice president of Bangladesh Olympic Association and President of Bangladesh Archery Federation Lt. General Md. Mainul Islam (retd), secretary general of BOA Syed Shahed Reza, president of Gulshan Club Rafiqul Alam Helal and general manager of Ispahani Group, Omar Hannan were present as special guests.

Other officials of BSRF and Ispahani Group were also present on the occasion.

Omar in his welcome speech paid tribute to the Father of the Nation and thanked the organizers on behalf of the Ispahani Group for once again being closely associated with this international tournament. 

It is to note that Ispahani Group is always inspirited to support the flourishment of squash in Bangladesh.

Ispahani also patronizes cricket, football, basketball, chess, golf, and other sports.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) declared Ispahani as the title sponsor and Walton as the power sponsor at a press briefing held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday (20 February).

The two team will play a three-match ODI series and a two-match T20 series at the “Ispahani Cricket Series 2022”. 

The three ODIs are scheduled to be held on 23, 25 and 28 February at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram and the two international T20s on 3 and 5 March at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

T-Sports and Gazi TV will broadcast the matches live.

BCB director and Chairman of the Media Committee Tanvir Ahmed Titu, General Manager (Marketing) of Title Sponsor Ispahani Limited, Omar Hannan, General Manager, Marketing of Ispahani, Senior Executive Director and CMO of Walton Group Md Feroz Alam, title and ground branding rights holder Impress-Matra Consortium’s Khandaker Alamgir, and others were present at the press briefing.

Winners of the ‘Mujib Year 2nd Ispahani Squash Competition 2020-21’ received trophies and prize money at the Chattogram Club on Saturday.

The nine-day event, started on March 12, ended on March 20, said a press release on Sunday.

In the female open group competition,  Bangladesh Army Soldier Marjan was the champion while Subaida was runner up.

Bangladesh Army Lance Corporal Shahdat was the champion in the male open group while Suman of Uttara Club was runner up and Bangladesh Army Lance Corporal Roni Debnatha and Shahid of Gulshan Club raked third and fourth respectively.

Abid Mansur and Faraz Rahim of Gulshan Club became the champion and runner up among members.

In age groups under 19, Riajul Jannat and Atifa Ibnal of BAF Shahin College became champion and runner up respectively in the girl’s category.

In the boy’s category, Hamza of Uttara club became champion and Jahid of Army Squash Complex became runner up.

A total of 123 contestants fought for the trophy, said the release.

SM Ispahani Limited vice president Mirza Salman Ispahani presided over the ending and prize-giving ceremony where, among others, Rear Admiral Mojammel Haque, Chattogram Club president Kader Khan and Air Commanding Officer BF Jahur were present.

Isphani has secured the title sponsorship for the tenth edition of BPL while mobile banking institution Nagad has been added as the powered-by sponsor.

In addition to this, co-sponsors include Omera LP Gas and the University of Creative Technology Bangladesh (USTC). Collaborative sponsors for the event include Coltex and Bashundhara Tea.

The BPL is set to kick off on 19 January at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The participating teams in this season’s tournament are the current champions Comilla Victorians, runners-up Sylhet Strikers, Rangpur Riders, Fortune Barishal, Chattogram Challengers, Khulna Tigers, and the Durdanto Dhaka.

On the opening day, a face-off is scheduled between Comilla Victorians and Dhaka Dynamites at 2:30 PM, followed by a match between Sylhet Strikers and Chattogram Challengers at 7 PM. Each day of the tournament will feature matches starting at 2 PM and 7 PM. The first match on Fridays will start at 2 PM, followed by the evening match at 6 PM on other days.

From 26 January to 3 February, matches will be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

The tournament will then return to Dhaka.

Shuvashish Roy, head of business, The Daily Star, talked about the various categories of the OTT awards.

“There are a total of 37 categories, starting with ‘Best film and Dramas,’ ‘Individual Category,’ ‘Critics Choice,’ ‘Director’s Choice’ and ‘Music or songs’. People who have uploaded songs on YouTube can also apply in the music and songs category. The eminent jury and audiences will determine the winners from the nominees,” said Shuvashish.

Sakib R Khan, Hoichoi’s country head, and Ajoy Kumar Kundu, COO, Mediacom Limited, also spoke at the event.

At the unveiling programme yesterday, renowned directors, media personalities and celebrities were also present.

Ashfaque Nipun, Taneem Rahman Angshu, Shawki Syed, Shankha Dasgupta, Shafayet Mansoor Rana, and Shohel Rana, launched the jingle of the OTT awards at the programme.

Prominent actors, including Shohel Rana, Nazifa Tushi , Moutushi Biswas, Khairul Basar, and the cast of Bachelor Point season 4, including director Kajal Arefin Ome, Mishu Sabbir, Ziaul Haque Polash and Chashi Alam were present at the event.