Dhaka: State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque announced that the government will offer free admission to Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) for promising athletes emerging from the first edition of the 'Notun Kuri' sports programme. The government will also cover the costs of their sports training and education.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Aminul Haque made these remarks while addressing a prize-giving ceremony of the Dhaka porters Unity (DRU) sports festival in the Capital. He emphasized the government's commitment to identifying extraordinary athletes performing exceptionally well at the national level during the first edition of 'Notun Kuri,' with plans to provide them free admission to BKSP at government expense.
The State Minister noted the government's efforts to initiate the athlete development programme from scratch, aiming to keep selected athletes under continuous training to advance from national to international competitions. He stressed the importance of not halting progress regardless of results, with a focus on preparing athletes to compete for medals at future Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games rather than just participating.
Aminul Haque highlighted that around 13 to 14 sporting events have been targeted following the Asian Games 2026, with athletes remaining under year-round training programmes. These athletes will compete at the national level and participate in international competitions while staying within the training programme.
Regarding financial provisions, the State Minister revealed that approximately 10 crore taka has already been disbursed to the Olympic Association for the Asian Games. He assured that as the Olympic Association returns from the Games and submits the relevant bills, all their bills will be settled in due course, adhering to the government's policy framework.
Furthermore, Aminul Haque called for increased involvement of corporate houses in sports development, stating that the government alone cannot ensure the overall growth of the sector. He encouraged corporate entities to invest in sports, with the government ready to provide necessary facilities and support to them.