Dhaka, January 7: A mini artificial turf, under the ‘AFC President’s Initiative: Mini Pitch Scheme 2017’, was inaugurated at the Nilphamari District Stadium on Sunday.

Chief guest Asaduzzaman Noor, Minister for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh and special guest Kazi Salahuddin, President of BFF and SAFF, inaugurated the turf at 11:00am at a ceremony arranged by BFF.

BFF Vice President Abdus Salam Murshedy, FIFA and BFF Council Member Mahfuza Akhter Kiron, BFF General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag, Nilphamari DFA President Arif Hossain Moon were also present on the occasion, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Asaduzzaman Noor thanked the BFF for making such a facility in the remote area and hoped that the turf will help bring out talented players from the region.

The Minister also requested BFF to continue its good work and establish more facilities like this in other areas of the country.

Reiterating his words, BFF President Kazi Salahuddin underlined that this turf has been opened to identify the promising grassroots players.

Replying to the requests of the audience to organize an international match in Nilphamari, the President assured them that the BFF will try to arrange one as soon as possible.

BFF General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag informed that two similar turfs are awaiting inauguration in Feni and Madaripur.

The BFF hopes to open them for the grassroots players within January.

Moreover, the BFF will also apply to the AFC for establishing three more turfs in three other districts in 2018 with a view to strengthening the pipeline of footballers in the country.