Rangpur: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today emphasized the importance of promoting cultural activities and sports alongside academics in the country. "We will have to produce professional sportsman and artistes along with physicians, engineers or architects," he declared while addressing a program virtually as the chief guest. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event was organized to mark the final match of the Shaheed Zia Smriti Football Tournament at Shaheed Abul Kashem High School, Barobari playground, with BNP organizing secretary (Rangpur) Asadul Habib Dulu presiding over the event. Tarique Rahman expressed his commitment to prioritizing sports and cultural development if BNP is voted into power, aiming to build a happy and prosperous nation. Rahman highlighted his vision for a "New Bangladesh" where every individual is evaluated based on their competence, irrespective of political affiliations. He stated, "The countrymen have been freed from fascist. Thi s is the time to build Bangladesh afresh. We have to be united to this end. We have given a 31-point demand in building the country." He further asserted that a BNP-led government would focus on nurturing cultural activists and athletes, aspiring to develop players of international caliber in popular sports. "It is not enough to only create good doctors and engineers. We have to groom up good politicians and BNP would do that," he added. The program also featured speeches from BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and central leaders Farhad Hossain and Barrister Hasan Rajib Pradhan. The Shaheed Zia Smriti Football Tournament, which commenced on November 12, saw ten BNP organizational teams from the Rangpur division compete, culminating in a final match between Panchagarh BNP XI and Rangpur City BNP XI, with Panchagarh emerging victorious in penalties.
