DU Correspondent: A day-long football tournament titled “Gorai Football Tournament 2026” was held at the Kabi Jasim Uddin Hall playground of the Dhaka University on Friday, bringing together students from Kushtia studying at the university in a festive atmosphere of camaraderie and fellowship.The tournament was organised by Gorai Chhatra Kalyan Sangstha, Dhaka University, an organisation of students from Kushtia. The event aimed to strengthen friendship, fraternity and social harmony among Kushtia students while encouraging healthy relationships and teamwork through sports.The tournament began at 9:00am, with a large number of students, former students, relatives and well-wishers of the Kushtia community attending the programme.Sharif Uddin Jewel, newly elected Vice-President of the Central Executive Committee of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Convener of Jubo Dal Dhaka North City and founder of Nurjahan Rahman Foundation, attended the event as the chief guest. Jewel, a distinguished son of Daulatpur in Kushtia, said sports play an important role in the physical and mental development of students alongside academic and intellectual pursuits.He expressed hope that initiatives such as the tournament would further strengthen mutual bonds, friendship and harmony among students.Among others present at the event were Md Morshed Alam, special correspondent of the government-media-listed daily Notun Asha and a former student of the University of Dhaka; former meritorious student Asaduzzaman Palash; and Jubail Islam Himel, immediate past president of Gorai.The tournament generated considerable enthusiasm among Kushtia students at the University of Dhaka. The presence of students from different academic levels, members of the wider Kushtia community and well-wishers transformed the sporting event into a vibrant gathering of friendship and togetherness.Shakib Hossain, president of Gorai, said the organisation has been conducting various programmes for the welfare of students and the promotion of mutual harmony.“Our motto is: Let us come together through the gathering of Kushtia students, friendship and the bond of sports,” he said, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to bringing students closer through constructive activities.Rabea Tuch Sadia Rabu, general secretary of Gorai, said, “Building a bridge of connection with everyone is my primary objective.”The organisers said they hope to continue arranging sports, welfare and social activities that will provide students with opportunities to build lasting relationships while remaining connected to their roots in Kushtia.The Gorai Football Tournament 2026 thus became more than just a sporting competition—it served as a platform for students to celebrate friendship, community spirit and the values of cooperation and solidarity.