Preserve traditional sports: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has emphasised the importance of preserving traditional sports in Bangladesh to instill the virtues they espouse into future generations.

"Our boys and girls must ensure that our traditional games do not fade into oblivion. They are very talented and will perform well [in sports] if given the opportunity. We must excel in all kinds of games," she said while virtually inaugurating the final round of 52nd National Winter Games in Rajshahi on Wednesday, report agencies.

She joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the city.

The prime minister highlighted the need to revive traditional games like 'Hadudu' and 'Danguli' on a wider scale, noting that the country's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a patron of sports. It was Bangabandhu who initiated the winter games after independence, she said.

She believes Bangladeshis have received ample opportunities to engage in sports since independence. "They have been able to prove themselves in the international arena."

The prime minister recalled that her family was full of sports enthusiasts. Although football is the most popular sport in Bangladesh, efforts should be made to attract people to traditional games, she said.

Participating in sports serves as an excellent form of physical exercise for children, promoting not only competition but also fostering friendships, according to the prime minister.

"Children learn about unity and team spirit by participating in games and sports. Hence, our government has attached a great deal of importance to sports."

She highlighted her government's initiatives to promote sports, including the Bangamata Football Tournament for girls in primary school, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Football Tournament for boys and other interschool sports competition.

Through interschool, intercollege and interuniversity sports competitions, children and young people are able to develop physical fitness as well as cognitive skills, she said.

Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, among others, were present at Rajshahi end.

This sports competition was introduced by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972. The competition could not be held in 1998 due to floods. It was not held also in 2020 and 2021 for Covid-19 pandemic.

The upazila level competition was held from January 15 to 21, while district level from January 23 to 27, sub-regional from January 29 to February 1, regional from February 3 to 5 and finally the national level will be from February 7 to 12.

The country's largest sports competition started with some 700,000 participants at the Upazila level on January 11, 2024.