Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his government plans to introduce “Notun Kuri Sports” to help create new athletes and urged all—irrespective of political affiliation—to work together to strengthen the country’s sporting sector.

“We want to give sports a professional shape. To achieve this, we have decided to introduce ‘Notun Kuri Sports’, similar to the previous ‘Notun Kuri’ programme,” he said.

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Tarique made the remarks while speaking after a friendly football match organised by the Bangladesh Football Federation at the Dhaka National Stadium on the occasion of Independence and National Day.

Apart from introducing Notun Kuri Sports, he said the government has a broader plan to launch sports competitions among students at school and different levels across every district, upazila and union in Bangladesh.

“We have a goal and we want to make every effort to achieve it. In the future, we aim to bring more honour through international sporting events and produce quality players. We have plans and are working towards that,” the Prime Minister said.

Tarique said his party had pledged in its election manifesto to develop sports and nurture new talent across the country. “We want to make sports more professional and create opportunities for new players in different disciplines,” he said.

The Prime Minister said sports can bring honour to the country and create bonds of friendship.

“On this Independence Day, let us all make a commitment and do our part. I urge everyone involved in sports in Bangladesh, both directly and indirectly, to work together, regardless of political differences, to build a healthy and vibrant sporting sector,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, was present at the event.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid Habib, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Dhaka South BNP Convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atiqul Rahman Rumon, among others, were present.