Sports exams to be introduced from Class-4: Aminul

SREEMANGAL, MOULVIBAZAR, Oct 6:  Students will have to take practical examinations in sports alongside written tests from Class-4 under the next curriculum, said State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque.

“A textbook titled ‘Sports’ is being added to the next curriculum from Class-4. The prime minister will formally inaugurate the textbook,” he said while answering questions from journalists after inaugurating a cricket academy at Victoria High School field in Sreemangal Upazila on Tuesday.

“We hope different sporting events and other sports-related subjects will be included in the curriculum nationwide from Class-4. Students will sit for written examinations as well as practical tests on the field,” he said.

“A student will not be able to pass simply by taking the written examination. They will also have to take a practical test on the field,” he added.

The state minister said the government wants students to grow up healthy through sports, as a physically and mentally healthy generation is essential for building a healthy society.

Aminul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had already instructed the authorities to modernise and fully prepare district stadiums before constructing new sports infrastructure.

The aim is to enable district sports associations to organise leagues in football, cricket, swimming, volleyball, table tennis and chess, among other sports, he said.

The government also wants to expand sports such as archery, shooting and hockey at the district level, where Bangladesh has potential for better international performance, he said.

A project to modernise district stadiums across the country is already underway, he added.

“Wherever renovation is needed, we will renovate. Dressing rooms, press boxes and galleries will be built or renovated according to requirements. We want to make each district stadium self-sufficient and usable,” Aminul said.

He said existing facilities would be made fully functional before considering construction of new infrastructure.

The state minister also said authorities had been instructed to free Victoria field, Railway field and other occupied playgrounds in Sreemangal and make them suitable for sports.

“We have a responsibility to preserve these fields for future generations,” he said.

Aminul said the government had taken an initiative to provide sports allowances to players as professional recognition. Talented players would also be identified and selected for admission to the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Pratisthan (BKSP), with their education and sports training supported, he said.

He said the government had also initiated plans to establish a playground in each of nearly 4,599 unions and a futsal ground at ward level in each of the country’s 13 city corporations.

The state minister said creating more opportunities for young people to play sports could help build a drug-free society.

Aminul inaugurated the cricket academy by cutting a ribbon and releasing pigeons. He later inaugurated a newly built dressing room and inspected renovation work at Victoria High School field.

BCB Director Md Sarfaraz Ahmed Sarfu, Sreemangal UNO Md Ziaur Rahman and academy coach Habibur Rahman were present, among others.