The logo unveiling ceremony of youth festival and the unmasking of mascot for the forthcoming Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2025 was held in Dhaka Sunday.
With the theme of "Change the country, change the world", the youth festival will take place across the country, starting with the BPL inauguration on December 30.
The festival will conclude on February 19 with the final of the SAFF Women's Championship in Dhaka.
Sporting events, cultural shows and concerts across the country will mark the youth festival.
Sports adviser Asif Mahmud, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Faruk Ahmed, Bangladesh Football Federation president Tabith Awal, interim government's representatives along with a host of dignitaries were present during the ceremony.
The event was also attended by the captains of the national women's and men's teams, Nigar Sultana Joty and Nazmul Hossain Shanto.
Senior cricketers Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal, former and current footballers Kaiser Hamid, Hemanta Vincent and Topu Barman, weightlifter Mabia Akhter Simanto and ex-table tennis player Jobera Rahman Linu were also present.
The organizers are going to involve students in this event.
Attendees observed one-minute silence in remembrance of the July martyrs during the ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in association with the BCB.
In addition, a documentary about the July uprising was also screened during the program.
"The youth festival is going to be organized with the theme 'Change the country, change the world' in mind to transform the grief of the July mass uprising into strength. We always want to remember the martyrs of the mass uprising in happiness, sorrow, joy, pain and work," the sports adviser said.
"Sports unite us. Especially, cricket unites us. No matter how many differences there are in different fields, we unite in sports. One of the objectives of this youth festival is to move forward in line with the rebuilding of the country and state reforms, while maintaining national unity. The youth festival is going to be held across the country."
He thanked Dr Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, for his direct involvement in making this event a success.
Several ministries are involved to make the festival a grand success.
During the BPL, the spectators will get free water at "Shaheed Mugdho Corner".
They can also voluntarily donate to the July Foundation through the QR code there.
There will be a "zero-waste" zone at each venue to raise awareness about environment and recycling.
BCB is also trying to arrange for all BPL tickets to be sold online to reduce the suffering of spectators.
Three concerts will be organized under the name "Music Fest" in the three BPL venues of Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet.
During the BPL, eight boys' and eight girls' football matches will be organized every Friday and Saturday.
In addition, the "Under-15 National Cup" will be organized.
There are plans to organize debates, quiz competitions, inter-school and college tournaments, essay events, skill competitions and a July-36 painting event to explore talent from the grassroots level.
The BPL will have a trophy tour for the first time in its history.
The mascot Dana-36 will add extra color in this tour.
The "Dana 36" mascot - a "white dove" with spread wings or fan, which is a symbol of peace with a total of 36 colorful feathers - 18 on each side - represents the unforgettable memory of the July uprising that ended on August 5 (called as July 36) following the ouster of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina.
"If we can spread this festival across the country, that will embody our concept this time. We aim to engage the youth and have already taken several steps that are unprecedented. The extent of its success will become clearer as we progress, but this is just the beginning," BCB chief Faruk said.
