The Games conclude

The nine-day Bangladesh Games came to an end yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium through a simple ceremony where chairman of the Organising Committee and Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith declared the official close after expressing sympathy for the people who lost their lives or were injured in the Savar tragedy.
One minute's silence was observed in the memory of the deceased soon after the arrival of the chief guest and then the highlights of the games were demonstrated on giant screen. A small number of athletes took part in the march past after the mascot entered the venue and the flame of torch was dimmed soon after the departure of the mascot.
Bangladesh Ansar retained their title of the best team in the Bangladesh Games with 111 gold, 72 silver and 65 bronze medals. This was the fourth straight time that Bangladesh Ansar finished top of the medals tally. They had bagged highest 50 gold, 49 silver and 36 bronze in the previous Bangladesh Games held in 2002.
Bangladesh Army became runners-up with 67 gold, 39 silver and 37 bronze medals while Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) finished third with 33 gold, 47 silver and 27 bronze medals.
Bangladesh Navy Olympian swimmer Mahfizur Rahman Sagar and his teamate Sonia Akter Tumpa were the best athletes as they grabbed seven and five gold medals respectively in the Games.
Approximately 7000 athletes from 196 teams fought for 346 gold medals in 31 disciplines and 116 teams returned home with at least one medal while 37 teams won at least one gold medal.
Seven medals were decided on the last day of the Games.

KHO KHO
Dhaka DSA emerged champions in kho kho event after an intense win (28-27) win over Quantum Foundation of Bandarban in a 'farce' final at the Volleyball Stadium yesterday.
The players, coach and manager of Quantum Foundation, even general spectators alleged that the umpires played a partial role to help Dhaka win the game. The Quantum Foundation, comprising ten national players, complained about the umpires before the start of the game but the technical committee did not take the protest into consideration.

Roksana Sultana of Bangladesh Ansar won the 69kg weight gold on the final day of the Bangladesh Games at the NSC Gymnasium yesterday. Photo: Star

WEIGHTLIFTING
Bangladesh Ansar dominated the last day of weightlifting, grabbing three gold out of four gold decided at the National Sports Council Gymnasium yesterday.
Firoz Mahmed, Firoza Parvin and Rokeya Sultana Sathi of Bangladesh Ansar won gold medals in 105kg, 69kg and 69kg categories while Farhad Ali of Bangladesh Army won gold in the 105kg category.
Bangladesh Weightlifting Federation informed that a total of 13 records in snatch, clean & jerk and overall were set in the three-day competition.

CYCLING
Bangladesh Ansar won both gold medals in cycling decided on the concluding day at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Tariqul Islam and Akashi Sultana won gold medal in men's 1000m sprint and women's 1000m sprint respectively to help Ansar finish on 12 gold, four silver and seven bronze medals. BJMC finished second with six gold and 14 silver and seven bronze.