GP-SOB's talent hunt in Rajshahi

The regional talent hunt programme for intellectually-challenged athletes started at the Rajshahi Physical Training College yesterday.
Grameenphone, in partnership with Special Olympics Bangladesh (SOB), has organised the programme, which will conclude in Rajshahi on November 23.
The objective of the talent hunt is to create a 'national talent pool' of intellectually-challenged athletes and help empower them by nurturing and nourishing their sporting capabilities.
This national talent pool will be further groomed, nurtured and prepared for the next Special Olympics, the largest sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, scheduled for 2011.
Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton inaugurated the event.
Grameenphone director of public relations Syed Yamin Bakht, DGM of corporate social responsibility Shafquat Hossain, founder chairman of SOB Ashraf-ud Dowla and chairman of SOB Shamim Matin Chowdhury were also present.
The talent hunt in seven disciplines -- aquatics, athletics, badminton, bocce, football, table tennis and cricket -- will be conducted under the guidance of specially-trained coaches from SOB.
It is expected that 150 boys and 50 girls from nine special schools covering Rajshahi, Bogra, Pabna, Rangpur, Dinaj-pur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Panchagar, Nilphamari, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, Natore and Sirajganj districts will be participating.
Earlier in 2007, the Bangladesh Special Olympics team performed exceptionally well in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, winning a total of 71 medals.