At the picturesque artificial football turf at Courtside in the capital's Madani Avenue, The Daily Star employees today spent an enthralling day at The Daily Star Futsal Tournament 2025, and, at the end of it all, the sports department's team, Bishwa Ekadosh, emerged victorious.

A total of 13 teams of newsmen-turned-amateur booters gave their all on the battlefield, demonstrating passion, enthusiasm, and a spirit of camaraderie in 17 games of seven-a-side action, beginning in the morning.

The event's venue partner, Courtside, set up the perfect stage for a day to remember for The Daily Star employees and their family members.

As the players strove for victory on the field, their colleagues and family members cheered them on from the sidelines, while children frolicked around in the open fields and grabbed a bite from the many food stalls on the premises.

Eventual winners, Bishwa Ekadosh, had a bumpy start, drawing 0-0 against Digital Strikers (Digital Archive department) in their campaign opener, but they bounced back against Copa Shamsu (Graphics department), beating them 1-0 in a must-win game to qualify for the last four as group champions.

In the first semifinal between Bishwa Ekadosh and Snap Shooters, comprised of photojournalists, both teams failed to score in the stipulated time, and the penalty shootout also ended 2-2 after five attempts apiece. In sudden death, the Bishwa Ekadosh keeper saved a shot and then converted from the spot to send his teammates into raptures.

The other finalists, business development's Sales Warriors, also drew one and won one game in the group phase before thrashing HR and admin department's Myrmidons 3-0 in the semifinal.

In the final, however, Bishwa Ekadosh outclassed their opponents -- justifying their pre-tournament favourites tag -- while Sales Warriors could not get a shot on target. The stipulated time, however, saw no goals, and the final went down to the penalty shootout, which Bishwa Ekadosh won 2-0 to claim the inaugural tournament.

The intra-office tournament was held as part of the celebrations for The Daily Star's 34th Anniversary on January 14.