Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar unveiled the logo of reigning Dhaka Premier League champions, Legends of Rupganj, in a grand ceremony at a city hotel on Tuesday.
The prolific batsman, who had reached number of milestones in his illustrious career in Bangladesh, left a lasting impression when he pressed the button to mark the new beginning of a champion outfit.
It was a dream come true for Lutfar Rahman, the owner of Legends of Rupganj, who wanted to unveil his club with a legend with the stature of Sachin ever since he brought it in 2013.
Sachin, a family friend of Lutfar, made a rare public appearance since he retired last year to attend the event.
The Indian legend landed in a private jet in the morning and travelled to Rupganj in morning to spend few minutes with children at a local school.
He returned to Dhaka in the afternoon and joined the colourful logo unveiling ceremony at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, where the ICC president AHM Mustafa Kamal was the guest of honour.
‘When I was watching the video I was going through my memory lane and felt that Bangladesh always remained very special to me,’ said Sachin in his brief speech shortly after unveiling the logo of the club.
‘I was introduced with this country through the Asia Cup in 1998 and later had the opportunity to visit the country on many occasions and had some awesome experience that was very vivid to my memory,’ he said.
The gala show began with screen show on Legends of Rupganj owner Lutfar and Sachin before a laser show highlighted the cricket culture of Bangladesh.
The spectacular laser show also highlighted some special features on Rupganj, the place where the club has been named after.
‘This is an emotional day for me,’ said Legends chairman Lutfar in his welcome speech. ‘The club is named after Rupganj, a place where my forefathers lived.
‘So, I wanted to do something special so that it always remains alive in people’s mind. I had no better ideas than naming my club after the place.’
Lutfar presented Sachin with a nakshikantha, a traditional blanket, which is also a symbol of Bangladesh. Sachin gave his hand mark on a red clay as mark of his goodwill gesture.
ICC president Kamal said he will propose Bangladesh government to give Sachin an honourary citizenship.
Tendulkar had had many memorable occasions in Bangladesh which included his participation in Bangladesh’s inaugural Test, his 34th Test hundred that took him level with his idol Sunil Gavasker.
Sachin also scored his hundredth international hundred in Bangladesh.
Sachin recalled the events and said that he will carry the memory with him forever.
‘When I scored my 34th century and equaled Sunil Gavaskar’s record he was here to congratulate me. And my 100th century was also very close to my heart.’
Sachin showered Legends owner Lutfar with praise, saying the club is in the right hand.
‘He had three clubs and all of them were winning and I am sure under him Legends of Rupganj will have a lot of success in the coming days,’ said Sachin.
He left Bangladesh shortly after the logo unveiling ceremony ended.
-With New Age input
