Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has announced that the upcoming Prime Minister's Gold Cup Football Tournament will transcend its role as a sporting event, becoming a crucial medium for passive education aimed at the nation's youth.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Swapon emphasized the importance of integrating sports into education while addressing a preparatory meeting of the Prime Minister's Gold Cup committee. He highlighted that although sports are not yet fully embedded in the national curriculum, initiatives like the Gold Cup Tournament can instill essential qualities such as discipline, leadership, teamwork, and a healthy competitive spirit among young people.
The tournament, organized by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Education Ministry, is envisioned as more than just a form of entertainment. Swapon underscored its potential in shaping the mindset and character of the youth, encouraging the event to evolve into a national festival that motivates school and college students to engage in sports.
Swapon proposed a structured progression of the tournament, starting at the grassroots level with participation from students across all schools and colleges, moving through district-level rounds, and culminating at a national stage. This process, if regularly highlighted in the media, could generate widespread interest and foster a positive attitude toward sports among the youth.
The minister stressed that the true achievement of this initiative would be realized when sports are ingrained as a fundamental part of school and college life. He advocated for a holistic approach to education, where students are provided opportunities for both physical and mental development beyond traditional textbooks.
Swapon also called upon the Youth and Sports Ministry and other relevant agencies to play a pivotal role in implementing this extensive initiative. He highlighted the need for media promotion to transform the Gold Cup into an inspiring national endeavor.
The meeting was attended by officials from relevant ministries and members of the organizing committee, who deliberated on various aspects of successfully organizing the Prime Minister's Gold Cup Football Tournament 2026.