Chattogram: The 'Prime Minister's Gold Cup National Football Competition 2026', hailed as the largest football tournament in the nation's history, is slated to kick off in the second week of August. Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon made the announcement during a press conference held at the July Revolution Hall of the Chattogram Press Club.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Education Minister emphasized the event's significance in enhancing Bangladesh's presence on the global stage through a robust sports foundation at the grassroots level. Although the competition will commence in August, the Prime Minister is expected to officially inaugurate the event on either September 9 or 10.
The tournament is set to involve over 1.60 lakh students from 40,231 educational institutions nationwide, organized by the Ministry of Education. Following the press conference, Minister Milon kicked off a road show on Jamal Khan Road and visited the Chattogram District Stadium, the chosen venue for the tournament's opening ceremony.
The initiative aims to foster a generation that is healthy, skilled, and talented by merging education with sports. This effort is anticipated to significantly boost sports at the grassroots level and guide young individuals toward positive endeavors. The minister expressed a vision of professionalizing sports and advancing Bangladesh's sports sector to meet international standards.
Previously, large-scale sports events engaged 22 lakh students at the primary level. This year, the competition expands to include students from secondary, higher secondary, madrasas, and technical institutions, totaling approximately one crore participants. Students from a variety of educational backgrounds, including 19,221 secondary schools and 678 technical institutions, will have the chance to participate.
The opening ceremony, with direct support from the Prime Minister, will take place at the Chattogram District Stadium. State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs, Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, highlighted the government's aim to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level, enhancing the country's sports capabilities.
Organizers hope the event, beginning in Chattogram, will open new avenues in the national sports arena and aid in developing future generations into skilled, healthy, and confident individuals. The press conference saw attendance from several notable figures, including Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, MP Abu Sufian, and others.