Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said that Bangladesh is closely observing the outcome of the publication of National Register of Citizens (NRC) list in the Indian state of Assam. He came up with this statement while inaugurating the five-day Sheikh Kamal SAARC Snooker Championship at Dhaka Club in the city on Sunday. The tournament begins at the Dhaka Club today (Monday).
The minister said that India has committed that there will be no impact of Assam NRC on Bangladesh. The citizens, those who are not in the list are not even Bangladeshi. Apart from hosts Bangladesh, four more countries – India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka will compete in the tournament named after Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Sheikh Kamal is the greatest sports organiser of Bangladesh.
Dhaka Club president Khairul Majid Mahmud presided over the programme while, among others, Bangladesh Billiard and Snooker Federation (BBSF) general secretary Sayed Mahbub was also present. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen inaugurated the five-day meet as the chief guest yesterday, one day before official start of the tournament.
Beximco Group organizes the tournament under the joint initiative of Dhaka Club and Bangladesh Billiard and Snooker Federation (BBSF). A total of twelve players will compete in the tournament. Among them four players will represent Bangladesh while the eight players will represent for the remaining four countries.
The champions will receive U$ 25,000 while the runners-up will have U$ 15,000 as cash award. The third and fourth place finishers will get U$ 500 each. Concluding ceremony of the tournament will be held on September 6. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the ceremony as the chief guest while her private investment consultant Salman F Rahman will be present.
