Friendship Cycle Rally begins

Walton Friendship Cycle Rally, with the slogan "Two Banglas in blood ties" left Dhaka for Comilla on its 2nd and final phase journey to reach the final destination - Chittagong - on April 14, after formal inauguration at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Saturday, reports UNB.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder inaugurated the 2nd phase of the campaign organised by Kolkata Football Lovers' Association.
Additional director and head of the Games & Sports of the meet sponsors Walton RB FM Iqbal Bin Anwar, director general of Red Crescent Society of Bangladesh BMM Mojharul Haque, and general secretary of Kolkata Football Lovers' Association Mihir Das were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Twenty-five cyclists -- 10 from Bangladesh and 15 from India-are taking part in the friendship rally.
On way to Chittagong on the eve of Pahela Boishak (1st day of Bangla New Year), the cyclists will make two overnight halts-in Comilla and Feni.
On April 15, the Friendship Cycle Rally will formally conclude its journey, after donating blood by 15 Indian cyclists at a blood donation programme, under the auspices of Red Crescent Society and Blood Donors Association.
Earlier, the cyclists began their 1st phase journey from Salt Lake of Kolkata on April 9, entered Bangladesh through Benapole of Jessore on April 10 (Thursday) and stayed overnight in Narail.
Then the cyclists travelling through Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari and Manikganj reached the capital Friday.