Emdad Rahman
Osmaninagar celebrated their triumph in the Greater Sylhet Upazila Cup with style, as squad members, officials, volunteers and representatives from other Upazila teams joined the 2015 and 2016 champions on an open top bus tour of Tower Hamlets.
The tour commenced at Regents Lake, Mile End, and took in Stepney, Poplar, Limehouse, Wapping, Shadwell, Whitechapel, Brick Lane, Shoreditch and Bethnal Green. Stops were made outside the shopfronts of sponsors E1 Discount Store, Mas Bazar and Rahim’s
The mood aboard the bus was electrifying with lots of joy being expressed and a constant stream of “champion!” chants. The presence of the double winners proved extremely popular along the celebration route, and wherever the bus travelled throngs of the general public lined the streets to cheer, applaud and take pictures – even selfies.
Osmaninagar player Repon Chowdhury is the only captain to have lifted the Greater Sylhet Cup since its inception. He said, “I have played football for decades and won so much silverware, but this is an altogether different kind of special.’
Bangladeshi football legend, midfielder Rashid Ali, added, “I too have won every trophy at this level, but this ranks with the greatest moments of my career.”
Osmaninagar Manager Mamun Chowdhury addressed the support the team had received. “Our volunteers, sponsors and our fans have played just as great a part in this fairytale as our players. They are the backbone of our team and I hope they enjoyed this open top bus tour,” he said.
The tour ended at Regents Lake, where a banquet dinner was hosted by Rashid Ali. Volunteers were presented awards of appreciation from Tower Hamlets Speaker Khales Ahmed. Tower Hamlets Councillor Asma Begum, Cabinet Member for Leisure, congratulated the team, along with Councillor Shahed Ali, who is from Balagonj.
Abu Mumin of Sylhet Aid and Eden Care addressed the crowd and spoke of how Sonali Othith was reconnecting people with their roots. He informed guests of the vital aid provided by the charity to needy people in Sylhet, be it a sewing machine, a wheelchair or a blanket.
The team received trophies and a special tribute and achievement award was presented to Shazzadur Rahman – one of the UK’s greatest Bangladeshi players.
There was a lighthearted and entertaining conclusion at the end when Rashid Ali presented a comical Upazila awards segment. Best banner went to Jagannathpur. Best result was Derai beating Bishwanath 1-0. The Chattak logo was compared to Count Dracula’s Castle, and the Jagannathpur Beanibazar quarter final was voted the most dramatic game of the tournament.
The Greater Sylhet Cup is an initiative of Sonali Othith (“golden past”). Sonali Othith is at the forefront of promoting football for the over 35s in the community and inspiring a healthy lifestyle amongst its participants.
•For more information, go to: www.sonaliothith.org
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