Bangladesh is set to launch a new nationwide sports programme to find young talent from the grassroots. The initiative is called ‘Notun Kuri Sports’.
Earlier, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque spoke about the plan in an interview with Daily Times of Bangladesh before the national election. He said, “If we come to power, we will make sport compulsory in the national curriculum from Year Four. There will be five events, including football and cricket. At the grassroots level, we will launch the ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ programme.”
Now the programme is moving forward. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has taken the initiative to find young athletes across the country. The idea follows the well known ‘Notun Kuri’ talent search programme from the 1980s.
A meeting on the programme took place at the conference room of the National Sports Council (NSC). The Department of Sports organised the meeting. Deputy Commissioners, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, and district sports officers from across the country joined the discussion.
State Minister Md. Aminul Haque attended the meeting as the chief guest. The Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has agreed to open the programme on April 30.
The competition will involve children aged 12 to 14. There will be seven sports events. The programme is likely to start from Sylhet.
The games will first take place at the upazila level. Winners will move to the district level. After that they will compete at the divisional level. The best athletes will finally play at the national stage.
The state minister said the programme will help young players choose sports as a career. Selected athletes will receive government sports scholarships.
The government will also support them through the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP). They will get better training, education, and other support there.
The minister said the plan also aims to keep young people away from drugs and digital addiction. He believes the programme can help build a healthy and active generation.
The competition will follow a yearly calendar. Officials hope to finish this year’s edition by July.
Sports and cultural activities will also continue in schools throughout the year. This will help spread sports to the grassroots across the country.
The minister also called for support from local administration and the public to make the programme successful.
