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Chattogram tops Natun Kuri registration nationwide
Published : Monday, 21 September, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Staff Correspondent
Chattogram has topped the country in registration for the Natun Kuri sports competition by a wide margin, with 181,140 participants signing up more than three times the figure for second-placed Dhaka.
Dhaka recorded 59,580 registrations, putting Chattogram ahead by 121,560.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Islam expressed high hopes for the competition, saying, “We will make history through the Natun Kuri sports competition.”
Youth and Sports Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam attributed Chattogram's strong showing to both local enthusiasm for sports and promotional efforts by the district administration and field-level officials.
“Our district commissioners, upazila nirbahi officers and district sports officers have carried out promotional activities and made efforts that have also had an impact,” he told journalists.
Asked whether initiatives taken by Chattogram District Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah and the district administration had contributed to the high registration figure, the secretary replied in the affirmative.
“There is a sense of competition among everyone over who can enrol the highest number of participants,” he said.
Mahbub-ul-Alam also pointed to Chattogram's strong sporting culture, saying the district hosts numerous sporting events and has produced many athletes who compete at the national level.
District Sports Officer Abdul Bari said a coordinated campaign was carried out under the DC's leadership, involving the district administration, upazila administrations, union-level committees and educational institutions.
Officials held a series of meetings, including online sessions, before taking the campaign to the upazila level, where they worked with UNOs and school heads to encourage participation, he said.
The drive was subsequently expanded to the union level, with committees formed to facilitate registration.
“Above all, the DC's strong leadership and the instructions he gave from time to time helped increase registration,” Bari said.
He said the campaign continued on a daily basis and was promoted through local newspapers, television channels and social media. Local sports organisers also took part in the campaign, while the information office helped extend publicity to the grassroots.
Bari also acknowledged the support of Chattogram Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Sharif Uddin.
Chattogram's lead is particularly striking when compared with the next two districts combined. Dhaka and third-placed Cumilla, which recorded 51,848 registrations, have a combined 111,428 -- still 69,712 fewer than Chattogram alone.
Barishal ranks fourth with 51,580 registrations, followed by Patuakhali with 49,565.
Dinajpur is sixth with 41,699 registrations, followed by Sylhet with 40,536, Mymensingh with 40,054, Cox's Bazar with 36,546 and Bogura with 34,968.
This year's competition features 10 disciplines, up from eight in the previous edition. Teams will first be formed at the union level before competing at the upazila level.
Boys and girls will compete in football, cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, badminton, chess, swimming, athletics, martial arts and table tennis.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
