Khulna:Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that nearly 16.23 lakh young athletes have registered online to participate in the second season of Notun Kuri Sports 2026-27, highlighting the growing enthusiasm among children and adolescents nationwide.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister shared a message today on the occasion of the competition, which is set to begin tomorrow. The second season will be inaugurated at Khulna District Stadium on November 5.
Following the success of the first edition, which began at Sylhet Stadium, the nationwide competition aims to expand its reach in this new season. The Prime Minister noted that between July 1 and September 20, approximately 16.23 lakh young athletes registered online. Participants are required to be between 10 to 14 years old, and the number of sporting disciplines has increased from eight to ten, with the addition of volleyball and table tennis.
Notun Kuri Sports is more than just a competition; it is an initiative aimed at uncovering grassroots talent, nurturing potential, and developing future sports leaders. The Prime Minister expressed optimism that the initiative would produce national and international athletes who would represent Bangladesh on the global stage.
The government is implementing various initiatives to identify talented athletes at the grassroots level, integrate education with sports, develop modern sports infrastructure, and provide quality training. Special emphasis is placed on ensuring opportunities for disadvantaged children and promoting the participation of female athletes.
The inaugural edition, which began with over 168,000 athletes aged 12 to 14, concluded at Dhaka Army Stadium on July 27. From this edition, 306 talented young athletes were selected for advanced training at the Bangladesh Institute of Sports Education (BKSP), with 40 particularly talented athletes being directly enrolled under government sponsorship.
The Prime Minister emphasized the government's vision to build a Bangladesh where every child has the opportunity to dream and develop their talents, with the younger generation's dedication and patriotism serving as the cornerstone for a prosperous future.