Rangpur Division clinched the title of the first-ever countrywide Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman National Under-17 Gold Cup Football Tournament beating Rajshahi Division by 2-1 goals in the final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city on Sunday, reports UNB.
The match was locked in 1-1 goal in stipulated 80 minutes which forced it into the extra session where Rangpur Division became victorious scoring the match winner in 6th minute of the session.
President Abdul Hamid graced the final and handed over trophies as the chief guest.
Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy and BFF President Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin were also present on the occasion.
After a barren first half in the final, Apon Chandra Roy put Rangpur Division ahead in the 44th minute (1-0) while Ahad of Rajshahi Division levelled the margin in the 57th minute (1-1).
Shamim Islam scored the match winner for Rangpur in the 86th minute (2-1) and later he was adjudged the high scorer of the tournament.
Apon Chandra Roy of Rangpur Division was adjudged the best player of the tournament.
The first-ever national U-17 football tournament was inaugurated on September 01 last at Sheikh Russell Mini Stadium in Barhatta Upazila of Netrakona district to hunt talented footballers from the grassroots level across the country.
Some 125,000 footballers from 5,500 teams took part in the tournament at four levels-upazila, district, divisional and national-under the initiative of Youth and Sports Ministry.
Forty-three talented booters from the tournament were picked up for a long-term training at BKSP and later four top footballers will be sent to Brazil for higher training.
