Roni Akand, Special Correspondent, Joypurhat:

The final match and closing ceremony of the Deputy Commissioner’s Gold Cup Football Tournament were held in Joypurhat amidst great enthusiasm and a festive atmosphere. The thrilling final took place on Friday afternoon at the Joypurhat District Stadium.

In the final, Kalai Upazila Football Team clinched the championship title by defeating Joypurhat Sadar Upazila Football Team 4-3 in a penalty shootout.

During regulation time, both teams launched repeated attacks but failed to score the elusive goal, resulting in a draw. Consequently, the match was decided by a penalty shootout. In the exciting shootout, Kalai Upazila successfully converted four penalties, while Joypurhat Sadar Upazila managed three. Thus, the Kalai Upazila team emerged victorious with a 4-3 scoreline.

Abdul Bari, MP, Honorable State Minister for Public Administration and Food, attended the post-match closing and prize-giving ceremony as the chief guest; he delivered a speech and handed over the trophy to the winners.

In his address, the chief guest stated that there is no alternative to sports for keeping the youth away from drugs and criminal activities. Regular sports participation is essential for physical and mental development. He remarked, "Today, I witnessed a highly disciplined and competitive match. Such initiatives by the District Administration and the District Sports Association to sustain the momentum of football in Joypurhat are truly commendable."

Special guests who spoke at the event included Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) of Rajshahi Division; Al Mamun Mia, Deputy Commissioner; Shahnaz Begum, Superintendent of Police; Masud Rana, Senior Joint Convener of the District BNP; Golzar Hossain, Convener of the District BNP and Member-Secretary of the District Sports Association; and Abdul Wahab, Joint Convener. At the closing ceremony, jointly organized by the District Administration and the District Sports Association of Joypurhat, the champion and runner-up trophies—along with other awards—were presented to the players of the winning and losing teams. Thousands of football enthusiasts filled the stadium to enjoy this thrilling final match.