Youth Games from Dec

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) is all set to introduce the Youth Games, which will get underway from December 16, with the aim of grooming youth teams in different disciplines.

The Youth Games, the first of its kind in the country, will first be held across all 64 districts for seven days before moving to eight divisions on January 6, where it will continue for 10 more days.

The final phase, to be held in March next year, will see competition across 21 disciplines -- football, volleyball, basketball, hockey, kabaddi, handball, athletics, swimming, badminton, shooting, table tennis, squash, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, judo, wushu, weight lifting, boxing, archery and chess.

The Games officially started its journey yesterday with the unveiling of the logo and mascot -- a Tiger cub called Tejashwi -- at the Kurmitola Golf Club auditorium.

Finance minister and chairman of organizing committee Abul Mal Abdul Muhith unveiled the logo and mascot in a colourful ceremony, where the heritage of eight different divisions were on display.

"It is our responsibility to make the young generation proper citizens. I believe the youth will try to hone their skill and competitive attitude by taking part in the Youth Games," Muhith said in his speech.

Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu, cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor, state minister for youth and sports Biren Shikdar, the chairman of the parliament standing committee on youth and sports Jahid Ahsan Ahsan Rasel, cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, BOA president and army chief general Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq and BOA secretary general Syed Shahed Reza were among others present.