Talented grassroots athletes to get govt support for education, sports

The government will identify talented athletes from the grassroots level and admit them to the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP), taking full responsibility for their education and sports, said Youth and Sports Minister Md Aminul Haque. He said talented athletes scattered across the country will not be allowed to go to waste due to lack of opportunities. Arrangements will be made to develop their talent and bring them to the national level.

He made the remarks as a special guest at a workshop titled 'Khelay Khelay Shikhi' (Learn through Play) on reviewing information books at a hotel in the capital on Tuesday, August 18.

Aminul Haque said there is no alternative to sports for the physical and mental development, building self-confidence and instilling moral values in children. Sports must be integrated into education alongside studies. There are plans to incorporate sports into the curriculum from the first grade in the future.

He said the current government has started working anew in various sectors after taking office. New initiatives have been taken in family cards, farmer cards, education and healthcare. The government's initiatives in the field of sports have also started anew in Bangladesh's history.

On traditional and indigenous sports, the Youth and Sports Minister said steps have been taken to revive the country's traditional games. Various indigenous games like marbles are associated with children's childhood. A committee on 'Country Games' has been formed to popularise these games further.

Speaking about the 'Khelay Khelay Shikhi' programme, he said children learn various things through play from birth. They engage in play with a piece of paper, a pencil or any other simple object. If this natural tendency can be linked to education, children's interest in learning will increase.

He further said sports can play an important role in keeping children away from drugs, various negative influences and excessive use of devices. At the same time, education can be made enjoyable through sports. If subjects like mathematics and accounting can be taught simply through sports, children's interest in learning will increase.

Highlighting the need for playgrounds, Aminul Haque said all schools across the country do not have equal access to playgrounds. The government is working on creating fields. Plans have been taken to create one playground in each of the 4,599 unions across the country. Letters have been sent to 300 MPs and every deputy commissioner in this regard.

Outlining the plan to develop athletes from the grassroots, he said there is an initiative to enrol talented grassroots athletes at BKSP and provide their education and sports at government expense. In addition to the BKSP in Savar, instructions have been given to make the divisional BKSPs self-sufficient. The Director General of BKSP has also been instructed in this regard.

Aminul Haque said many talented athletes are scattered at the grassroots level. Many of them are lost due to lack of opportunities and proper training. Through government initiatives, these talents will be identified and given proper training and education.

Calling for the inclusion of children with disabilities in sports, the Youth and Sports Minister said many parents, due to social inhibitions, do not want to let their children with disabilities go outside. They have no reason to feel disappointed or ashamed. These children can also develop their talents through sports and bring honour to their families and the country.

He said an initiative has been taken to build the Arfat Rahman National Para Sports Village in Bogura. This initiative is for para-athletes. Many of them have achieved success at the international level and have been brought under the allowance programme.

The event was chaired by National Primary Education Academy (NEP) Director General Farid Ahmed, with Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon as the chief guest. Special guests included Primary and Mass Education State Minister Bobby Hajjaj, Save the Children Country Director Suman Sengupta, and Directorate of Primary Education Director General Shahina Ferdousi.