Govt reveals plan to bring Mbappe to Bangladesh

The government has expressed its desire to bring French World Cup-winning star footballer Kylian Mbappe to Bangladesh on the occasion of the 'Prime Minister's Gold Cup' national football competition.

Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam revealed the plan at a press briefing held at the Secondary and Higher Education Division's conference room at the Secretariat on Monday, August 3.

Earlier, a meeting of the national steering committee of the tournament was held with Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon in the chair.

According to the government's plan, the 'Prime Minister's Gold Cup' national football competition will be organised in September. Students from approximately 50,000 schools, colleges, madrasas and technical and vocational educational institutions across the country will take part in it.

Participation for male students has been made compulsory, while participation for female students has been kept optional.

At the briefing, Mir Shahe Alam said the government will try to bring world-famous footballer Kylian Mbappe to Bangladesh. However, no final decision, formal agreement or tour schedule has been announced in this regard.

He further said if any educational institution does not field a team in the tournament, steps may be taken to stop their MPO (government subsidy for monthly salary and allowances) .

Additionally, the State Minister requested that funds be collected from the education boards' funds to provide necessary allocations through deputy commissioners for the successful organisation of the competition.