Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Bangladesh’s young generation to represent their country with pride on the world stage, calling on them to excel not only in sport but across all fields as the nation looks to build a stronger international identity.
Speaking at the final and prize-giving ceremony of the Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament at Bangladesh Army Stadium in Dhaka on 20 June, the Prime Minister told the young players that the responsibility of making Bangladesh a famous and powerful nation rested squarely on their shoulders.
“Bangladesh needs to be built into a strong Bangladesh, a famous Bangladesh. Who has to do this? You have to do it. Because this is your future, because this is your Bangladesh,” he said.
Invoking the ongoing World Cup, Tarique told the children that Bangladesh needed its own Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappe. “Today at the World Cup, Ronaldo is playing, Messi is playing, Mbappe is playing — but players like them must come from among you,” he said.
Joragacha United Government Primary School from Santhia in Pabna claimed the title after defeating Achargaon Government Primary School from Nandail in Mymensingh 4-2 in the final. The Prime Minister personally presented trophies to both the champions and runners-up.
The tournament, which began on 6 April, saw more than 1.1 million boys and more than 1.1 million girls from 65,342 government primary schools compete across village, union, upazila, district and divisional rounds before the national final in Dhaka. The Prime Minister said he would urge organisers to contact Guinness World Records to have the scale of the competition officially recognised.
Tarique also announced plans to expand the competition further, revealing that a similar tournament would be launched at secondary school level this year, with a Prime Minister’s Cup to follow at primary level from next year.
He encouraged the young players to develop themselves beyond the football pitch. “You cannot just play. You must also study, pursue culture and become skilled in everything. If you can excel in everything, we can build a beautiful and powerful Bangladesh,” he said.
He added that plans were already in place to improve Bangladesh’s Olympic performances and develop new sporting facilities, including green pitches, across the country. “Cricket has already made Bangladesh known to the world. Football, swimming, hockey and tennis will do the same. You will become ambassadors of Bangladesh to the whole world,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haq Milon, Health Minister Sardar Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain, BFF President Tabith Awal and several other ministers, state ministers and senior officials.
