Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (November 09, 2022) put emphasis on attaining mental strength and self-confidence while training for excellence in sports.

“Mental strength and confidence along with training are of utmost importance. The more you train, the more you will attain excellence,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a reception programme for Bangladesh women’s national football team who won the SAFF women’s championship 2022 in September. At the event, prize money and financial honorarium were handed to women footballers for bringing the trophy to Bangladesh.

The programme was held at the Shapla Hall of Prime Minister Office (PMO).

Read: Outstanding SAFF performance: PM gives away cheques to Bangladesh women’s football team

Bangladesh women’s team lifted the SAFF championship 2022 by beating four-times finalist and hosts Nepal 3-1 in Kathmandu on September 19 last.

The Prime Minister said that athletes of the country must always remember that as a nation Bangalees have attained a hard-earned victory in the Liberation War.

“We are a victorious nation; we have attained independence through the Liberation War. You must remember this. We won in the war and we will win in sports too. You must have this attitude. Only then success will come,” she said.

Talking about development in sports over the last 14 years, she said, “We are trying to develop the sports sector from the grassroots level. There is a stadium in every district and that stadium will be used for every sport,” she said.

Read: Focusing on sports, cultural activities to create worthy citizens: PM

Talking about mini stadium in every upazila, she said that these stadiums will be used for all kinds of sports, and schools can use the venues for holding their annual sports events.

Sheikh Hasina said that her government has constructed 125 Sheikh Russel mini stadiums in as many upzilas and work to construct 186 more such mini stadium has started in the second phase. In the third phase, 173 Sheikh Russel mini stadiums will be constructed.

She also said that the government will construct indoor stadiums in every district while there will be BKSP in every division for development of the sports sector in the country.

The prime minister said that besides studies, sports, cultural activities and literature are crucial to ensure physical and mental wellbeing of children.

Read: No megaprojects now but no compromise on welfare-oriented ones: PM

She mentioned that during the 1996-2001 tenure, the Awami League government sent players in several countries including Brazil, Portugal and Spain for advanced training.

The PM also said that the government is providing patronage to different-abled athletes as part of the “sports for all” policy.

The Prime Minister observed that children living in Dhaka city are growing up like “farmed chicken”, cooped up in apartments, with little to no physical activity.

She asked parents to pay special attention to their children in this regard and take them to the playgrounds regularly.

Read: PM: Encourage children to take to sports to become good citizens

“Schools must have arrangements for regular sports activities,” she said.

She asked the affluent in the society to come forward and contribute to the development of local sports. “They can at least appoint athletes in their organisations so that their livelihoods are ensured,” she said.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Md. Salah Uddin, Sabina Khatun and Youth and Sports secretary Mesbah Uddin also spoke at the programme.

A documentary was screened at the reception programme for the SAFF championship winner Bangladesh women’s national football team.

Read More: 5 SAFF champion girls receive grand reception in Khagrachari