Dhaka: Two friendly football matches featuring adolescent boys and girls were held in Kurigram on Wednesday to promote football among young people and build enthusiasm ahead of the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup National Football Tournament 2026.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the matches were organised at Kurigram Stadium by the Kurigram District Sports Association under the patronage of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dinajpur. Board Chairman Prof Elias Ahmed attended the function as the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Ahmed emphasized the importance of regular participation in sports and healthy recreation in keeping young people away from drugs, terrorism, and other forms of social degradation. “There is no alternative to sports in building a drug-free society,” he stated, highlighting that major events such as the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup help bring promising footballers from the grassroots to the national stage.

The programme was chaired by Additional Deputy Comm
issioner (General) BM Qudrat-e-Kuda. Organisers mentioned that awareness and promotional programmes will be carried out in phases across all upazilas of Kurigram to ensure the successful hosting of the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup National Football Tournament 2026 and generate public interest.