Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday endorsed the ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ initiative, which the Ministry of Youth and Sports will launch nationwide to identify and develop athletes aged 12 to 14 through structured training programmes.
“Sports is no longer merely a form of recreation; it is now globally recognised as a respectable and lucrative profession,” he said. He positions sport as a viable career path, which aligns the programme with long-term athlete development rather than short-term participation.
He linked the initiative to an existing cultural model. “The initiative has been inspired by the rich legacy of the traditional ‘Notun Kuri’ programme,” he said. He frames continuity as a strength, suggesting the programme will apply a proven talent identification model to sport.
He set out the operational focus of the programme. “Talented boys and girls aged between 12 and 14 will be identified from the country and given a structured and professional platform,” he said. This approach defines a clear intake age and prioritises early development within a controlled system.
He outlined the broader social role of sport. “It plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy, disciplined and skilled generation, while helping protect youth from drug abuse, social degradation and excessive dependence on digital devices,” he said. He connects participation to behavioural outcomes, which expands the programme beyond performance metrics.
He also addressed support systems already in place. “The government has already taken steps to support emerging talents through state-sponsored sports scholarships and world-class training facilities at BKSP,” he said. He links the initiative to existing infrastructure, which reduces implementation risk and strengthens the development pathway.
He set expectations for outcomes at national level. “With proper training and nurturing, young athletes would soon emerge as national stars and represent Bangladesh with distinction in international arena,” he said. He projects progression from grassroots identification to elite representation, which defines the programme’s success criteria.
He closed with a long-term view of impact. “‘Notun Kuri Sports’ would bring about a sustainable and transformative change in the country’s sports sector through coordinated efforts of all stakeholders,” he said. He places emphasis on coordination, which indicates reliance on multiple institutions to deliver results.
