President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Zillur Rahman inaugurates the Sheikh Kamal International Basketball Championship at the Dhanmondi Indoor Basketball Gymnasium yesterday. PHOTO: COURTESY

Bangladesh made a flying start in the opening day of the Sheikh Kamal International Basketball Championship yesterday at the Dhanmondi Indoor Basketball Gymnasium.
In the only match of the day, Bangladesh made light work of Bhutan after thumping them 77-44. The hosts led the first half 39-24.
President of People's Republic of Bangladesh Zillur Rahman declared the five-day meet open as chief guest while state minister for youth and sports Ahad Ali Sarker, chairman of parliament standing committee on youth and sports Zahid Ahsan Russel and Bangladesh Basketball Federation president Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin MP were among others present on the occasion.
Nepal were supposed to take part in the tournament but they finally did not appear forcing the organisers to hold the tournament with five teams including Bangladesh.
“Nepal did not communicate with us though they promised to take part in the tournament and we were forced to hold the tournament on the basis system instead of the tournament format,” said BBF general secretary AK Sarker.
Now, five teams will play round-robin basis matches and top team of the table will win the title of the tournament, sponsored by Citycell.
Other participants of the tournament are Maldives, India (West Bengal team) and Malaysia (U-18) team.