BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday stressed the need for a non-political unity in the country’s sports arena as the Awami League government politicised this sector as well.

“In the new journey that has begun, the thing we need most in our sports arena is a non-political unity and the highest nurturing of talents. Everyone (talented players) should get the opportunity,” he said.

The BNP secretary general made this remark while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Shaheed Zia Inter-Thana Football Tournament-2025, arranged by BNP Dhaka North City Unit at Pallabi City Club football field in Mirpur.

Noting that the Awami League government destroyed all the institutions of the country in the last 15 years, he said the sports sector is a big example of this.

Unity essential amid efforts to divide nation: Fakhrul

The sports arena was never politicised in the past, but the Awami League government politicised this sector. “So, good and talented players didn’t get opportunities,” said Fakhrul.

Focusing on the importance of sports, he said players have a generous heart and their roles in social work, including eradicating drug abuse, are very important. The goal of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is also to motivate the youth to focus on sports by avoiding drugs, he added.

He said the main goal of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is to guide the youth in sports alongside politics. “He (Tarique Rahman) truly dreams of building the Bangladesh…. He truly wants to build a progressive, prosperous Bangladesh. He considers the role of the youth to be the biggest in it (the vision)," said the BNP secretary general.

Highlighting the contribution of the Zia family to sports, he said Arafat Rahman Koko, the youngest son of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, played a significant role in the development of cricket in the country.

BNP Dhaka North City Unit Convener Aminul Haque and its member secretary Mostafa Zaman, among others, were present.