Sports, cultural activities vital to keeping youth away from drugs, gambling: Prince

Mymensingh Zila Parishad Administrator and BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince has said sports, cultural, religious and social activities are essential to protect young people from drugs, gambling and other social ills.

“Following the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, a festival of sports has begun across the country, from villages to cities. There is no alternative to sports, cultural, religious and social activities to protect the youth from the harmful effects of drugs, gambling and various forms of immorality,” he said.

Prince made the remarks as the chief guest at the final of a football tournament at Darinagua Itkhola field in Haluaghat on Friday.

He said the government had taken initiatives to help young people choose sports and culture as respectable professions and careers, as in developed countries.

“Those with talent in sports are being given opportunities not only to represent Bangladesh internationally in football, cricket and other sports, but also to build careers in coaching, refereeing, fitness, sports management and training,” he said.

He said the government was constructing one playground in every union and mini-stadiums in every upazila.

The BNP leader said the initiative to include sports and culture in the education curriculum from next year would help develop a new generation that is physically fit, mentally healthy and creative rather than focused solely on examinations.

“We should not limit our young people to chasing jobs. They need to use their talents and skills to open up new opportunities,” he said.

He said talented young people playing at the Darinagua field could become national and international-level athletes in the future, stressing the need to provide talented youths in remote areas with training, competitions and appropriate opportunities.

Haluaghat upazila BNP Member Secretary Abu Hasnat Badrul Kabir, Joint Convener Mizanur Rahman, Krishak Dal upazila unit President Anwar Hossain, Chhatra Dal upazila unit Convener Naimur Arifin Papon and BNP leaders Altaf Hossain, Abdul Motaleb and Syeduzzaman, among others, spoke at the event.