Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday stressed the need for promoting sports and games among the youth to groom up their mind and talents.
“The minds and talents of our children will flourish as much as we can spread sports and games among them. Their physical health will be developed further and their mind will be liberal,” she said.
The premier said this while opening the final round of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Game 2023 in the city.
The curtain of the week-long final round was lifted at Bangladesh Army Stadium in Banani after the successful conclusion of the inter-upazila and inter-district phases, held from January 02 to 22, 2023.
Hasina said the sports and games create a competitive attitude among the youth which will finally help them gain further enrichment and competence in sports, games and every case of their lives.
She said this is why her government paid special attention to sports and games immediately after coming to power.
The PM said the AL government introduced inter-school, inter-college, inter-university competitions. “So, sports and games in our country are getting enriched enough. We're able to take part in different international sports competitions,” she added.
She said her government wants to increase the participation of Bangladeshis athletes in various international competitions in a larger way by creating skilled players alongside developing the socio-economic condition of Bangladesh.
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“Today our goal is to build a smart Bangladesh,” she said, expressing hope that the Smart Bangladesh would create smart players so that Bangladesh can achieve the qualification to attend any global competition.
Recalling the contribution of her family members particularly Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Hasina described Kamal as a versatile person. Kamal was simultaneously involved in cricket, football, hockey and other different sports.
She said he (Sheikh Kamal) founded Abahani Krira Chakra and he took initiative to engage the young generation in sports and games in a larger way.
“His talents are imprinted in every field. He introduced the modern football game here, founding Abahani Krira Chakra,” she said.
Hasina said this youth game will add a new dimension as a platform to find out future sports stars.
Some 4000 (Under-17) promising athletes are taking part in the final round of the mega sports event for the 193 gold, 193 silver and 287 bronze.
Meanwhile, both the men's and women's football competitions of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023 held on the opening day of the meet at two city separate venues in the capital.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel and President of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed spoke at the opening ceremony while BOA General Secretary Syed Shahed Reza delivered the welcome speech.
BOA organised the Youth Games for the first time in 2018. The main motto of the Games was to select future players for national teams in various disciplines and to groom the talents of young athletes.