Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque urged banks and financial institutions to step up for Bangladesh sport on Wednesday, calling for collective corporate backing to protect federations from financial insecurity. He made the appeal at a meeting with senior banking executives at the National Sports Council in Dhaka. The government wants structured, long-term support so no sport stalls due to lack of funds.
Aminul Haque told the room that the state cannot carry the burden alone. He made it clear that private-sector involvement now sits at the heart of the country’s sporting strategy. Federations that deliver results and national pride, he said, should receive priority backing.
He stressed that proper sponsorship can unlock professionalism across federations. With stable funding, administrators can plan instead of firefight. That stability, he argued, gives athletes a real shot at sustained international success.
Mutual Trust Bank PLC’s Head of Group Communications Md. Rozar Ibna Azad said the session underlined government intent. “Today the state minister invited all managing directors of financial institutions to discuss how we can support sports in a more organised way,” he said. He added that banks already work in sports but often do so in a fragmented manner.
Azad said the ministry wants a coordinated national plan guided by clear direction from the Prime Minister. “The government wants every sports federation to move forward under one proper plan, and they want us as stakeholders in that journey,” he said. He also dismissed concerns over branding conflicts, saying the meeting focused on structure, not logos.
He backed the shift towards long-term thinking. “One-off sponsorships don’t create lasting impact,” Azad said. “A proper plan allows follow-up, accountability and real development.” He also highlighted untapped potential beyond football and cricket, pointing to hockey and archery as sports worth rebuilding carefully.
Bank Asia’s Head of Brand Communications Taimur Ali echoed the message of unity. “This was more of an introductory session with State Minister Aminul Haque,” he said. “Cricket takes most of the budget, but if we want other federations to grow, we must work together as a team.”
Ali said the ministry wants dozens of federations to produce quality players through a shared framework. “They want a collective, formatted approach where the government gives a plan and we contribute from our social responsibility role,” he said. The tone, he added, pointed firmly towards cooperation rather than competition among sponsors.
