‘Sports’ to be made compulsory from Class IV: Aminul Haque

BHOLA, Oct 2: A book titled Sports will be introduced from Class IV under the next curriculum, and sports will be made compulsory in schools, said State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque.

The move aims to encourage the younger generation to take part in sports and bring positive changes to society, families and the state through sports, he said.

The state minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a freelancing and AI training programme organised by the Department of Youth Development at the Bhola Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Thursday.

“We want to keep our children away from excessive dependence on digital devices. We also want to build a drug-free society. Sports can play a major role in achieving that goal,” Aminul said.

He said sports require adequate playing fields and that the government has planned to build a stadium in every upazila and a playground in every union.

“Instructions have already been given to deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers to implement the plan,” he said.
The state minister said the government was providing sports allowances and sports cards to recognise athletes professionally.

“Children should not study only to become doctors, engineers or barristers. We are working so that they can also establish themselves as professional athletes,” he said.

Through the Notun Kuri Sports programme, talented athletes from grassroots level are being identified and eventually enrolled at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Pratisthan (BKSP) for training, he said.

“The government will bear the expenses of their sports training and education. Those talented in football, cricket, volleyball or swimming will be developed as national-level athletes and brought to the field. This is our goal,” Aminul said.

He said the government was also taking various initiatives in education, healthcare, sports and environmental protection.
Aminul said computer labs would be established in every upazila of Bhola and Barishal districts to expand participation in freelancing and AI training.

“We genuinely want to ensure employment for unemployed people in every family across Bangladesh and work for the welfare and development of everyone,” he said.

On recent incidents of unrest in different places, Aminul alleged that supporters of the previous government were creating disorder with the help of others.

Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman chaired the programme.
Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary Sheikh Md Zobaied Hossain, Bhola District Council Administrator Alhaj Golam Nabi Alamgir and Superintendent of Police Md Shahidullah Kawsar were present, among others.

At the end of the programme, laptops and smartphones were handed over to 18 successful freelancers in recognition of their achievements.

Senior officials of different government departments and people from various professions attended the event.
Earlier in the morning, the state minister inaugurated a biogas village being implemented by the Department of Youth Development at Ilisha in Bhola and the district sports team office at the old Jugirghol area in the town.