Youth and Sports state minister Aminul Haque set the tone for a faster, tougher push in Bangladesh sport on Monday, outlining reform plans after a long meeting with 51 federations at the National Sports Council in Dhaka and demanding action within days, not months.
Aminul described the meeting as constructive, saying, “Today’s meeting with the federations was extremely positive and focused on how we can move forward together, united, to build a sports-friendly environment.” He framed unity as the engine of reform, not a slogan, and made it clear he expects federations to stand on their own feet rather than wait for rescue.
He asked every federation to submit a full assessment of the last year within seven days, covering successes, failures, gaps and missed opportunities. “I have asked for a complete evaluation report of the past year, and they have assured me they will submit it within seven days,” he said, putting a hard deadline on long-standing inertia.
Elections sit at the heart of his clean-up plan. Aminul said, “We have decided to start the election process from the root level, beginning with upazila elections, then district and divisional, and finally the federation elections.” It is a slow ladder by design, aimed at legitimacy rather than speed, and it directly answers years of complaints about opaque control at the top.
He also signalled structural surgery across the 51 federations. “We are reviewing which federations are functioning and which are not, and whether similar types of sports can be merged through discussion,” Aminul said, adding that priority support will go to sports with stronger international prospects.
Grassroots expansion remains central to the vision. Aminul said new and struggling sports must reach children early, explaining, “We want to take sports from school level to the very roots so new games can grow properly.” It ties elite ambition to mass participation, rather than treating them as separate battles.
Money, inevitably, followed. Aminul confirmed talks on unlocking CSR funds and drawing in major companies, saying, “We discussed how CSR funds can be used for sports by working with the finance ministry, NBR and Bangladesh Bank.” He stressed sport cuts across politics and can unite the nation, which forms the moral case for private investment.
He demanded order as well as ambition. “We have asked every federation to submit an annual sports calendar within seven days,” Aminul said, insisting events must run within a clear, transparent structure rather than ad-hoc promises.
The most emotive announcement came with the revival of New Kuri. Aminul said, “We want to start the New Kuri Sports programme right after Eid for under-12 to under-14 talents, with equal opportunity for all sports.” It signals a clear bet on youth, with execution promised immediately after Ramadan.
