A 40-day residential training camp for 311 young athletes selected from across Bangladesh under the first phase of Notun Kuri Sports 2026 began at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) in Savar on Saturday, aiming to develop grassroots talent for national and international competition.
Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque inaugurated the camp in the afternoon, where participants will receive training to improve sporting skills, physical fitness, discipline, sportsmanship and mental resilience, the Youth and Sports Ministry said in a press release.
Youth and Sports Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam and BKSP Director General Brigadier General Mohammad Saif Ullah attended the event alongside representatives of the Chinese Embassy, ministry officials, officials from sports organisations and federations, prominent and veteran athletes, participating young players and BKSP trainees.
Aminul said various government initiatives had increased young people’s interest and participation in sport across the country, creating opportunities for talented boys and girls in remote areas to develop their abilities.
He said the young athletes taking part in the programme could strengthen Bangladesh’s national teams in the future and represent the country internationally.
The state minister also said BKSP was playing an important role in building a stronger generation of athletes by identifying and nurturing talent at the grassroots level.
Under the Notun Kuri Sports programme, talented young players from different parts of the country are being identified and brought under advanced training, an initiative Aminul said would contribute to improving the standard of sport in Bangladesh.
The 311 participants were initially selected through nationwide trials held on 28 and 29 April. Notun Kuri Sports 2026 was formally inaugurated on 2 May.
After the residential camp, promising athletes will be identified for potential inclusion in BKSP’s regular training programmes, according to the release.
