SYLHET : Describing the young students as the country’s “imminent future”, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the future leadership of the country will emerge from them.
Calling upon the students to build themselves through studies and sports, he said, “I want each of you, who are sitting in the gallery, to become an ambassador of Bangladesh. You will have to take the responsibility of Bangladesh, because you are the future of the country”.
The Prime Minister said these while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the sports talent hunting programme ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ at Sylhet Stadium in Rikabi Bazar here this afternoon.
The event was organized under the initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. At the event, a documentary on ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ was screened and the theme song of the programme ‘Amra Notun, Amra Kuri’ was played.
Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, urged the young students to engage in sports alongside their studies.
“Now you have to study and play. You have to build yourselves. Whoever wants to become an athlete will become an athlete. At the same time, whoever wants to learn singing will learn singing, whoever wants to become a musician will become a musician. We will make arrangements for that, InShaAllah,” he said.
Addressing as the chief guests the young students present at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Notun Kuri Sports-2026 at in Sylhet Stadium and those who joined the event virtually from all 64 districts, he said, “Today, the little students sitting in this gallery, along with the little students across the country, you are the chief guests of this event”.
“Little friends, our time is almost over. Now Bangladesh is looking towards you. We will start . . . you will have to take Bangladesh forward. Can you do it?” the Prime Minister said.
At that time, the students present throughout the gallery responded loudly, saying, “Yes, we can”. In response, the Prime Minister said, “I know all of you will definitely be able to do it, InShaAllah”.
Noting that future members of parliament (MPs), ministers, Prime Ministers and Presidents of Bangladesh will come from among the young students of now, Tarique Rahman urged the young students to groom themselves as skilled.
“Each of you has to grow up. Only then Bangladesh will grow. The Bangladesh of tomorrow depends entirely on you. The better and more beautifully you grow, the more beautifully and on a stronger foundation Bangladesh will be built,” he said.
Sharing the story of how the idea of ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ came about, the Prime Minister said, “It was about four and a half years ago. Aminul Haque, (now state minister for youth and sports), had gone to London”.
“One day we were sitting and chatting. At that time, I started talking about sports as Aminul is a sportsman . . . and at one point, we decided sitting at the dining table that we would launch Notun Kuri Sports in Bangladesh,” he continued.
Earlier, the Prime Minister enjoyed demonstrations of BKSP students on eight sports events, including cricket, kabaddi, football, athletics, chess, badminton, swimming and martial arts, in the open field.
The premier was impressed watching the students’ sports performances and encouraged them through applause.
After his speech, Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ simultaneously in Sylhet and all 64 districts. At the same time, he unveiled the trophy and logo of ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ programme.
After that, he went to the stadium field and exchanged greetings with the student participants of the eight sports events.
The Prime Minister released pigeons and environment-friendly balloons on the occasion. His wife Dr Zubaida Rahman was also with him at that time.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque and Secretary of the ministry Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam spoke at the event.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Whip Md GK Gouse, Mst Tahsina Rushdir Luna, MP, and Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury were present, among others, on the occasion.
Apart from students from various educational institutions, people from different professions and walks of life were present in the stadium gallery.
In continuation of the popular talent hunting programme ‘Notun Kuri’ of the 1980s, the government launched the ‘Notun Kuri sports’ programme.
The Sports Directorate is implementing the programme under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
