DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hosted a reception ceremony for the national football team for becoming the runners up in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup Football Tournament.

The function was held at her Gonobhaban residence at night in honor of the players, coach and officials of Bangladesh National Football Team.
 
Praising the activities of country’s football clubs, Hasina said our players had played vary well and the more they would play, the more they would be competitive and better.

The premier suggested for more engagement of the boys and girls with sports saying if they become interested in sports it would bring benefit for them.

She mentioned Bangladesh's triumph over England in the ICC Cricket World Cup to make quarter final berth expressing her firm optimism that Bangladesh could also make its place in the semifinal.

Finance Minister and chairman of Bangabandhu Gold Cup Football organizing committee Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy and president of Bangladesh Football Federation Qazi Salauddin also spoke on the occasion.

Players, coach of Bangladesh Football team Lodewijk De Kruif, manager Amirul Islam Babu and other officials joined the reception.

PM's daughter Saima Hossain, member of Bangabandhu Gold Cup Tournament organizing committee Salman F Rahman were also present.

The reception was followed by a dinner where the premier, others guests, the players and the members of the national football team joined together.

BDST: 0055 HRS, MAR 13, 2015