IHF president opens Nat\\\'l School Hockey

The First Security Islami Bank National School Hockey Tournament was formally inaugurated Wednesday at the Moulana Bhasani National Stadium in the city, reports UNB.
President of International Hockey Federation (IHF) Leandro Negre inaugurated the 2nd version of the countrywide school meet at a colorful opening ceremony in the afternoon.
Although the meet was formally inaugurated Wednesday, but the first phase of the competition will begin in the last week of January next.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder, President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Air Force Chief Air Marshall Mahammad Enamul Bari, Chairman of ATN Bangla and ATN News Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, Managing Director of First Security Islam Bank Syed Wasek Mohammad Ali were, among others, present on the occasion.
During the one-hour inaugural ceremony, renowned vocalist SI Tutul presented the meet's theme song from a mobile rickshaw, accompanied by IHF President.
The students of Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts, under the guidance of Farhana Chowdhury, presented a cultural programme focusing on Bangladesh culture and heritage through display, song and dances.
The inaugural ceremony also featured an exhibition hockey match between Armanitola Govt. High School and Fatullah Pilot High School at the same venue, which ended in a goalless draw.
A total of 120 school teams from across the country will play in the first phase of the tournament at eleven venues-Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Jessore, Chuadanga, Dinajpur. Comilla, Sylhet, Barisal and Mymensingh.
The Dhaka Zone matches will be held in the middle of February next after the installation of blue turf at the Moulana Bhasani National Stadium in the capital.