Hanoi:State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque has announced that the government is committed to creating a safe and inclusive sporting environment for people of all ages, from children to those over 60, to encourage their participation in sports.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Aminul made this announcement during the inauguration of a table tennis competition marking the 72nd founding anniversary of the National Press Club. The event was also attended by National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan, Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Managing Director and Chief Editor Mohammed Kader Gani Chowdhury.
Following the prime minister's directives, the Ministry of Youth and Sports plans to establish a playground in every union across the country. Aminul revealed that information on 403 playgrounds has already been gathered from 27 districts, with a goal to develop 1,000 playgrounds by December. This initiative aims to provide opportunities for children, young people, and senior citizens to engage in sports, enhancing their physical and mental well-being.
The state minister highlighted that table tennis is included in the second edition of the New Buds Sports programme, with teams being formed in 4,599 unions nationwide. The programme is set to begin in around 503 upazilas, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expected to inaugurate it from Khulna in November. The government is also promoting various sports at the grassroots level, such as volleyball, basketball, athletics, swimming, and martial arts, alongside football and cricket.
Aminul emphasized the potential for Bangladesh to excel in other sporting disciplines, particularly individual events. The government is taking steps to make sports a viable career option by introducing sports allowances and sports cards for athletes. The first edition of New Buds Sports has concluded, and preparations for the second edition are underway. This programme, included in the annual sports calendar, aims to keep children engaged in sports for most of the year, except during examination periods, encouraging healthy lifestyles and reducing time spent on digital devices.
A new textbook titled Sports will be introduced from Class IV in the upcoming academic curriculum, a joint effort by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Initially introduced at the primary level, it will be gradually extended to higher classes, fostering a new generation's enthusiasm for sports.
The construction of stadiums in every upazila is also in progress, and sports villages at the district level are planned. However, activities related to these sports villages have been temporarily halted due to the economic slowdown caused by the ongoing energy crisis. A para-sports village for athletes with special needs is also being planned.
Emphasizing sports in the education system, Aminul noted that making sports compulsory from Class IV and integrating them into the academic curriculum could bring significant societal changes. The recruitment of coaches for individual sports is underway, and appointing sports teachers in schools could improve sporting standards and create employment opportunities.
Mohammed Kader Gani Chowdhury, managing director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, praised the minister's initiatives to encourage children to return to playgrounds, addressing a longstanding demand. Sports, he noted, teach discipline, obedience, and patriotism, crucial for children's development. He expressed optimism that the plan to establish playgrounds in every union would help prepare children for the challenges of the 21st century.