Dhaka: British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke today paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque at his secretariat office to discuss bilateral cooperation in sports and youth development.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the bilateral meeting focused on improving the standard of women’s sports in Bangladesh, enhancing youth skills, and strengthening sports diplomacy between the two countries. The discussions centered around various initiatives aimed at elevating the sports sector and fostering youth engagement.
Welcoming the High Commissioner, the State Minister emphasized that sports diplomacy can elevate bilateral relations to new heights. He noted the government’s focus on sports development under the leadership of the Prime Minister, highlighting the ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ programme recently launched to identify grassroots talent among boys and girls aged 12 to 14. These young talents will receive advanced training at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan.
The minister also expressed the government’s commitment to bringing positive social change through sports and youth development, stating that sports serve as an effective tool for reducing social inequality. He underscored the need for technical support to build a strong sports industry and expressed hope for UK assistance in enhancing the skills of coaches and athletes to meet international standards.
During the meeting, High Commissioner Sarah Cooke assured full support from the United Kingdom in developing women’s sports in Bangladesh. She stated the UK’s keenness to play an active role in this sector and highlighted opportunities for collaboration in events such as the Commonwealth Games. Furthermore, she mentioned potential joint efforts in disciplines like swimming, boxing, and martial arts. The High Commissioner emphasized support for the Paralympic Games to ensure inclusivity at all levels of society, aiming to further strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries.