Having undergone a vibrant transformation, the National Stadium in Dhaka became a festival ground for budding young footballers yesterday as the prestigious Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament returned to the country's premier venue after nearly six years.

With newly installed sheds, colourful chairs brightening the galleries, a freshly laid greenish pitch, an athletic track, and decorative touches, the stadium radiated renewed energy. Adding to the spectacle was the electrifying atmosphere created by the excited screams of school-going boys and girls, making the stadium pulse with life once again as it hosted the finals for both boys and girls.

Since the Gold Cup's last edition held here in 2018, subsequent editions were paused due to the pre- and post-COVID period. However, the primary and mass education ministry managed to continue the tournaments in 2022 and 2023 elsewhere while the stadium underwent renovations.

Now nearing full restoration, the stadium was partially reopened to host the Gold Cup -- an event that has long been a breeding ground for future stars. Players such as Maria Manda, Monica Chakma, Shamsunnahar, Akhi Khatun, Krishna Rani, and Tahura Khatun have emerged from this very platform, turning their school-level dreams into national success stories.

In the girls' final, Jorgacha Govt. Primary School from Sathiya upazila, Pabna, etched their name into history by becoming the eighth team to win the silverware. They overcame Bancharampur Model Govt. Primary School from Brahmanbaria with an impressive 3-1 victory.

Lamia Khatun, named the best player of the tournament, was overjoyed with the triumph and shared her dream of following in the footsteps of national forward Sabina Khatun. "I don't know many players by name, but I've watched a few matches featuring Monica, Marzia, and Akhi Khatun. However, I want to be a player like Sabina," she said, beaming with pride after lifting the trophy.

The boys' final saw Koiarbil Govt. Primary School from Kutubdia upazila, Cox's Bazar, script their own fairy tale. They claimed the title by defeating Ichagari Govt. Primary School from Sunamganj 2-0, becoming the 12th school to win the prestigious tournament.

Koiarbil's journey was nothing short of remarkable. In the early stages, they were on the brink of elimination at the union level, just as they had been in the previous edition. However, fortune favoured them, and they scraped through via a lucky toss in their second match. From that moment, they never looked back, stringing together 14 consecutive victories to emerge as champions.

"I am happy to make my school proud," said Jubair, the tournament's top scorer, who netted three goals in the final phase. Now, with his confidence soaring, he has set his sights on joining either BKSP or a private football academy to chase his dream of playing at the highest level.

This year's tournament witnessed overwhelming participation from more than 11 lakh young footballers representing 65,000 schools across the country. As the event concluded, chief guest Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, adviser to the interim government, delivered an encouraging announcement. The primary and mass education ministry, he revealed, is set to appoint physical education teachers in primary schools to strengthen the foundation of school-level sports.