The national phase of Notun Kuri Sports 2025-26, Bangladesh’s grassroots talent identification programme, began on Tuesday with swimming events at the Syed Nazrul Islam Swimming Complex in Mirpur.
Youth and Sports State Minister Md Aminul Haque officially opened the competition in the presence of Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam. Additional secretaries Amena Begum and Mahfuzul Alam Khan, along with Bangladesh Swimming Federation general secretary Syed Aminul Haque Dewan Sojal, also attended the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Aminul said, “Under the overall guidance and supervision of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we officially launched the Notun Kuri Sports programme from Sylhet on May 1. After successfully completing the upazila, district and divisional stages, we have now reached the national finals.”
He stressed the unifying power of sport, saying, “Sport has the power to unite the entire nation beyond political differences. When athletes wear the Bangladesh jersey, everyone is known only by one identity, as Bangladeshis.”
Referring to the excitement generated by the recent FIFA World Cup, Aminul added, “We must use this enthusiasm to take football and our other sports to a higher level.”
The minister also announced plans to expand the competition.
“Although we started with eight events, volleyball and table tennis are now being added, taking the total number of disciplines to 10. Even before the first edition concludes, online registration for the second edition began on July 1,” he said.
He added that organisers plan to make the competition a year-round programme by forming teams from 4,589 unions and 503 upazilas across the country.
Highlighting the social importance of sport, Aminul said, “There is no alternative to sports if we want to keep the younger generation away from mobile phone addiction and drugs. Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy and well, and the government remains committed to achieving that goal.”
The opening ceremony concluded with the swimming competition before Aminul presented medals and prizes to the winners.
