"If people cast their votes for Boat, if we get the chance to serve the country through forming the government, I can tell you, without any hesitation, there’ll be no hunger and poverty by 2020," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating 66 Sheikh Russel Mini Stadiums in 66 upazilas, Youth Training Centes in six districts and a multi-sports indoor complex in Bangladesh Krira Shiksha Pratisthan (BKSP) through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban.

She mentioned that the government has been able to reduce the poverty to 21 percent and will be able to reduce more in the coming days.

Sheikh Hasina said the 100th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of the Independence will be celebrated in a hunger- and poverty-free atmosphere in the country. "We’ll be able to march forward further towards development."

Talking about the development of sports in the country, the Prime Minister said sports are closely related with education. "The more students will involve in sports the more they will be able to gain courage and get healthier. “It’ll also help bring more pride for the country and the nation."

Hasina said the government has given special attention to it so that the students and youths get involved in sports. "We want the sports to be flourished in the country further."

The Prime Minister said the more the youth will get involved in sports and cultural activities the stronger they will be in their character. "They won’t be involved in drugs and militancy."

She said the government has planned to establish BKSPs in all divisions and the Finance Minister has shown adequate interest in this regard. "We’ll provide funds and the students who will come out from there will get involved in sports." 

Hasina said youths are the future of the country and the government wants them to build them as skilled ones.

She briefly described various steps and programmes taken by her government for the welfare of the youths of the country. 

State Minister for Youths and Sports Dr Biren Sikder also spoke at the videoconference.

Later, the Prime Minister spoke to a cross-section of people through the videoconference.