Cox's Bazar, June 28 (V7N)- The National Gold Cup Football Tournament (Under-17) named after the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has commenced in Ukhiya Upazila of Cox's Bazar.
 
On Friday (June 28), in a ceremony organized by the Upazila Administration and Upazila Sports Association, the tournament for boys of this age group began at Ukhiya Government High School ground.
 
Under the chairmanship of Upazila Executive Officer and President of the Upazila Sports Association Tanvir Hossain, Upazila Parishad Chairman Jahangir Kabir Chowdhury attended the inaugural match as the chief guest.
 
In the opening match, the defending champions, Rajapalong Union Football Team No. 4, faced off against another successful team of the tournament, Palangkhali Union Football Team No. 5.
 
Rajapalong Union scored the first goal within the first 15 minutes of the first half. Adding another goal during added time in the first half, Rajapalong Union Football Team clinched the match 2-0. Facing defeat on their own turf, the current champions bid farewell at the beginning of the tournament.
 
Scoring two goals for Palangkhali Union Football Team, Uddin Roki and Nurul Mustafa Lal.
 
Expressing his feelings after winning his own team, Palangkhali Union Parishad Chairman M. Gafur Uddin Chowdhury said, "I am delighted with the performance of the players. My goal is to create national-standard players from Palangkhali Union."
 
Abdullah Al Mamun Shahin, Editor of the Upazila Sports Association, said, "In knockout format, the tournament is organized with five unions in the upazila. The winning team of the first match will play in the semifinals directly. The next match will be held between Jalalipalong Union Football Team and Ratnapalong Union Football Team."
 
Upazila Executive Officer Tanvir Hossain said, "Every year's justice has started again. The tournament is being organized by the Upazila Sports Association with government support. Plans are underway to encourage upazila players and develop various grounds."
 
Upazila Parishad Chairman Jahangir Kabir Chowdhury said, "In Ukhiya, a master plan is being made for the development of sports. Efforts are being made to return the youth society from the edge of destruction with various plans."
 
Present at the inaugural match were Upazila Education Supervisor Badrul Alam, Rajapalong Union Parishad Chairman Md. Salahuddin, Joint Editor of the Upazila Sports Association Gazi Omar Farooq, and Jalalipalong's UPI members Engineer Helal Uddin, among others.
 
The match was officiated by Cox's Bazar Referee Association members Shafiul Alam (Shafi), Jasim Uddin, and M. Saidi.
 
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