Future Bangladesh will be a sports-friendly country

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque said that the future Bangladesh would be a fully sports-friendly country, where all differences would be forgotten and everyone would be united through sports, reports BSS.

He made the remark while speaking as the chief guest at a view-sharing meeting marking National and International Sports Day, held at the National Sports Council auditorium in the capital on Monday.

He also highlighted the government's multifaceted plans for radical changes in the country's sports arena and the welfare of players.

Ensuring the financial security of players, the State Minister said that 129 players have already been brought under the salary structure and provided with sports allowances and sports cards. The rest will be provided soon. Promising to complete this entire process with utmost transparency and impartiality, he said that the players' skills and performance would be reviewed every four months.

He expressed hope that this would create special trust and confidence in the families of grassroots players regarding state support.

Aminul laid special emphasis on corporate involvement in improving the quality of the country's sports federations, mentioning that except for a handful of organizations, the condition of most federations is currently fragile.

Discussions have already been completed with various banks, insurance, and financial institutions of the country to strengthen the federations. According to the government's plan, the responsibility of managing smaller federations is being entrusted to

individual corporate houses.

The State Minister confirmed in the meeting that the journey of the 'Natun Kuri Sports' program will start simultaneously from Sylhet on April 30 across the country. The programme will be conducted in a total of seven different events, including football, cricket, kabaddi, and chess.

Giving utmost importance to sports diplomacy, the State Minister said that on the field of play, everyone, regardless of party or opinion, comes together, and the government wants to build a prosperous Bangladesh of the future by utilizing this united force.

The State Minister reiterated the need to focus more on developing skilled players than on building infrastructure. He said that the government has far-reaching plans for former players, valuing their experience and contributions.

Meanwhile, SAFF-winning Bangladesh U-20 youth football team captain Mithu Chowdhury expressed his desire to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and hand over the SAFF trophy to him on behalf of the Bangladesh team.

"Since this is the SAFF U-20 Championship, we have achieved the first success in football after the formation of the new government. After winning the trophy, my teammates expressed their desire to me to meet the Prime Minister and hand over the SAFF trophy to him. I appeal to the State Minister for Sports to take the necessary steps in this regard," said

Mithu during the team's reception ceremony held at the National

Sports Council auditorium in the capital on Monday.

Earlier in the morning, people from all walks of life in sports participated in the rally marking National and International Sports Day.