300 athletes receive sports allowance, coaches to join scheme

 
More than 300 athletes have already been brought under a sports allowance scheme as part of efforts to provide professional recognition to the country's sportspersons, while coaches will also be included in the scheme, Youth and Sports State Minister Md Aminul Haque said on Saturday.

Speaking as a special guest at the opening of the National University Inter-College Sports Competition for the Rangpur Division at Dinajpur Government College, Aminul said additional athletes would receive the allowance within this month.

"More than 300 athletes have already been provided with sports allowances. More athletes will receive the allowance within this month. At the same time, coaches will also be brought under the sports allowance scheme," he said.

The State Minister said the government had given the sports sector the highest priority in line with its election manifesto, describing several initiatives as the outcome of long-term planning.

He said the first phase of the 'Notun Kuri Sports' programme had been successfully completed, with 306 promising young athletes currently undergoing advanced training at the Bangladesh Krira Shiksha Protisthan (BKSP). 

The Ministry is also working to establish sports villages and build mini-stadiums in every upazila, he said. Dinajpur BKSP, meanwhile, will be developed into a fully-fledged and self-sufficient institution to promote grassroots sport and identify new talent.

He said 83 trades were currently being offered under the Department of Youth Development, alongside initiatives to develop young people through freelancing and artificial intelligence.

He called for collective efforts beyond political divisions, saying a healthy sporting culture could help build a better, healthier and drug-free Bangladesh.

The event was chaired by National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah. Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain attended as chief guest.