Bangladesh is set to harness the power of sports diplomacy to build bridges with nations across Asia and Europe, with the Prime Minister’s daughter Zaima Rahman being lined up to play a central role in the effort. State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque made the remarks on 3 May after inaugurating the Media Cup Football tournament organised by the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association at the BFF artificial turf.
“Through sports diplomacy, it is possible to strengthen goodwill and brotherhood with different countries,” Aminul Haque said. “Through diplomatic exchanges in sports with Asian and European nations, we are thinking about how to increase Bangladesh’s sporting opportunities and facilities, identify our weak areas, and properly utilise them.”
Zaima Rahman to lead sports diplomacy push
The initiative follows a direct instruction from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who raised the matter during a discussion with the Sports Minister on Saturday. “During a discussion with the Honourable Prime Minister, he himself instructed me to utilise Zaima Rahman,” Aminul Haque said. “I said that if she takes responsibility and works, it will be a major source of encouragement for us.”
To give the effort institutional weight, a dedicated sports wing has already been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have jointly begun coordinating activities under the Prime Minister’s direction to advance Bangladesh’s sporting interests abroad.
A government committed to sport
Aminul Haque also spoke about the broader momentum building around sport at the highest levels of government. He noted that the Prime Minister had opened his address at the Deputy Commissioners’ conference on the morning of 3 May by referencing the previous day’s Notun Kuri Sports event, expressing his determination to channel the enthusiasm of the younger generation into nation-building.
“The enthusiasm and spirit he has seen among the younger generation, he expressed his determination to use that to build the Bangladesh of the future,” Aminul Haque said. “I believe this marks the beginning of a new journey for sports in Bangladesh.”
The Sports Minister also noted that the Prime Minister’s spouse, Dr Zubaida Rahman, attended the inauguration of Notun Kuri Sports, and that the Prime Minister had personally directed him to monitor sporting activities at divisional and district level to ensure they are being conducted properly.
BFF’s coaching and infrastructure problems
Aminul Haque, a former captain of the Bangladesh national football team, also addressed two pressing issues facing the Bangladesh Football Federation. The first concerns the appointment of a new head coach. Several high-profile candidates have applied, but BFF currently lacks the financial capacity to meet their demands. The Sports Minister offered reassurance, saying the government stood ready to help.
“BFF has not officially informed me of anything so far and I am not fully aware of the matter. However, if they face such problems, we can resolve them through discussion,” he said.
The second issue involves BFF’s plans to construct a FIFA-funded technical centre in Cox’s Bazar. A key condition for receiving the FIFA funds is that the land must be registered in BFF’s name, which would require the federation to pay eight crore taka to acquire it. Without government financial assistance or a special arrangement to transfer the land at little or no cost, securing the site will be extremely difficult.
Aminul Haque confirmed that formal steps were already being taken to address the matter. “The Football Federation has informed us about the excellence centre planned in Cox’s Bazar. I have instructed my secretary to send an official letter to BFF regarding this. Subsequently, we will hold a meeting to discuss the matter in detail and provide all necessary support to BFF, and we will resolve this issue,” he said.
