BOA seeks sponsors
Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) has urged different corporate houses and businessmen to come forward to sponsor the upcoming South Asian Games.
“It's a rare opportunity for our local companies to brand their products globally. So, let's avail this rare opportunity to brand our country as well as branding our own products," said co-convenor of the 11th SA Games marketing and sponsors committee Rubaba Dowla during a gala programme at the posh Radisson Water Garden Hotel on Sunday.
The programme graced by Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhit as chief guest was arranged to attract sponsors for the biggest jamboree involving the eight South Asian nations to be held in Bangladesh from January 29 to February 9.
This is the first time BOA are seeking sponsors in three different categories -- platinum (best advantageous position for advertisement at the venues), gold and silver in an attempt to raise fund for the gala opening and closing ceremonies. Even though a number of leading businessmen attended the programme, BOA did not get any immediate response from them.
BOA secretary general Kutubuddin Ahmed said that they have set an ambitious target of raising Tk 40 crore from the sponsors. He also disclosed that the opening and closing ceremonies would cost them a whopping Tk 30 crore.
The 11th SA Games will feature record 23 disciplines and will be held in all six divisional headquarters of Bangladesh. A total of 19 venues will be used for archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, cycling, football, golf, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.
Bangabandhu National Stadium will play host to football and athletics apart from staging the opening and closing ceremonies.
More than 1800 athletes from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan and hosts Bangladesh will compete in the 12-day spectacle.
BOA president General Abdul Mubeen presided over the function that ended with mind-boggling sports ramp and a laser display.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar, who is also the convenor of the 11th SA Games steering committee, and chairman of parliamentary standing committee on Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel were present on the occasion.
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