Dakkhin Dondari Keranipara non-government Primary School emerged as the new champions of the third Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament, while Palichara Govt Primary School won their maiden title in the second Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football on Thursday. Out of 60,776 primary schools across the country, Dakkhin Dondari Keranipara Primary School of Nilphamari stood tall to be crowned after defeating Meheripara registered non-govt Primary School of Cox’s Bazar 10-9 in the penalty shootout.
In front of some 10,000 primary school students at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, the game went into penalty shoot-out after the stipulated and extra-time ended in a goalless draw. On the other hand, Palichara Govt Primary School did not have to sweat as they crushed Nischintapur registered non-govt Primary School 3-0 in the Bangamata Gold Cup thanks to a superb brace from Rukhsana Akhter.
She was later adjudged as the player of the final along with the best player and top-scorer of the tournament.
With the win Palichara Govt Primary School became the lone team in both Bangabandhu and Bangamata Gold Cup to play in the final twice.
‘We cried a lot after losing the final last year and since then we have worked hard to win the Gold Cup and our dream came true,’ said Rukhsana, who is called Messi by her team-mates for her mesmerising dribbling. She struck 22 goals in the tournament. Captain Swapna Akhter put Palichara School ahead in the second half and then Rukhsana struck two consecutive goals to ensure the title.
The penalty shootout between Dakkhin Dondari Keranipar Primary School and Meheriapara Primary School was an interesting one as the first-five shots ended in a 4-4 stalemate and the rest of the players came one after another to complete all 11 players of each side but the result was locked at 9-9.
Then Tariqul Islam of Meheriapara Primary School came to take his second shot but he floated it over the crosspiece while Goutam Chandra converted his second and the team’s 12th shot to clinch the trophy for Dakkhin Dondari Primary School.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, distributed the prizes among the winners as chief guest.
-With New Age input
