by Mynul Hasan Sohel (Dhaka Bureau)
The current administration, led by Tarique Rahman, has taken a landmark initiative to overhaul the sports landscape of Bangladesh. To transition sports from a mere hobby to a sustainable and prestigious profession, a nationwide talent hunt program titled ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ is set to commence. Launching on April 30, the primary goal of this project is to scout and nurture talented athletes from the grassroots level across rural Bangladesh.
In the context of Bangladesh, youth often hesitate to choose sports as a primary life goal. Potential talents are frequently nipped in the bud due to financial uncertainty and social pressure. To break this stalemate, the government has introduced a new slogan: ‘Sports as a Profession, Security for the Family.’
Highlighting the social significance of this initiative, Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque stated, ‘We want to restore confidence among parents so they believe that even if their children take up sports as a career, the family will not face financial crises.’
Key Features of the Project:
Target Group: School students aged 12 to 17 years.
Budget: 40.13 crore BDT has been allocated in the revised budget.
Sports Categories: Football, Cricket, and traditional rural sports of Bangladesh.
Expenditure: Funds will cover training, equipment, travel, and campaigning, alongside direct prize money and incentives.
Under the leadership of the Tarique Rahman-led administration, this program has been expanded to ensure that teenagers in rural areas- far from urban facilities- get the opportunity to prove themselves on a national stage.
One of the major challenges in Bangladesh’s sports sector is the high dropout rate of young athletes. Many who show extraordinary talent in their teens are forced to quit in their twenties due to family responsibilities or lack of nutrition. To address this crisis, an annual financial grant of 100,000 BDT has been announced for 500 established athletes. Although the journey begins this year with 300 recipients, a commitment has been made to create a permanent funding structure in the next budget.
Sports experts view the ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ program as the dawn of a new era. Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, Chief Selector of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team, believes that if implemented correctly, this program will mark a revolutionary chapter, bringing forth talented players across various disciplines and allowing Bangladesh to play a significant role in South Asian sports.
Renowned economist Dr. Selim Jahan welcomed the government’s priority on sports but emphasized disciplined budgeting and specific targets for long-term success. In an immediate reaction to this, to the Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau representative, he remarked, ‘Ensuring the source of funds and utilizing them with transparency will be the primary challenge of this project.’
‘Notun Kuri Sports’ is not merely a sports competition; it is a signal of radical change in the social fabric of Bangladesh. If successful, Bangladesh will emerge as a new sporting powerhouse in South Asia, providing thousands of youths with a structured path to fulfill their dreams.
This long journey from the grassroots to the national level will officially begin on April 30 with an inauguration by the Prime Minister. The general public expects that, transcending street politics, this initiative will turn the children of the green fields into true national heroes.
The Author:
Mynul Hasan Sohel: Special Correspondent, Daily Inqilab and Executive Editor (Honorary), Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.