Bangladesh football team were facilitated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office yesterday for their praiseworthy performance in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup earlier in January this year.
All the players, Bangladesh Football Federation officials, executive committee members along with the recently arrived Dutch head coach Lodewijk de kruif visited the Premier’s office yesterday evening. The felicitation programme was followed by dinner.
The Prime Minister announced cash rewards of Tk1,00,000 for each player, coach and staff of the team who were involved in Bangladesh’s campaign in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup. It was learnt that Sheikh Hasina inspired the players in the programme and urged them to continue playing better football in the future. She also encouraged the concerned authorities to continue developing the country’s football.
Bangladesh produced a brilliant display in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, where they reached the final only to suffer a close defeat at the hands of Malaysia Under-23. Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in the group stages and outplayed tournament favourites Thailand U-23 in the last four.
The men in red and green received high praises from people all over the country and their last two matches in the semifinal and final saw overflowing crowds at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The Prime Minister also watched the final live from the venue.
