Govt to launch ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ to hunt grassroots talent

The government is set to launch a nationwide sports talent hunt programme titled “Notun Kuri Sports”, targeting children aged between 10 and 14 to identify and nurture promising athletes from the grassroots level.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque disclosed the plan in a written reply to a question from  woman MP Newaz Halima Arly in the parliament on Monday.

According to the plan, the initiative will feature competitions in 10 disciplines – football, cricket, kabaddi, athletics, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, swimming, chess and martial arts – with participation starting at the union level.

The initiative is part of a broader government effort to ensure the physical and mental well-being of young people, keep them away from drug abuse and the risks of involvement in juvenile gangs, and engage them in constructive social activities.

In his reply, the state minister said that an integrated action plan had been adopted in coordination with the ministries of youth and sports and education, the Local Government Division and various sports organisations.

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Under the plan, regular sports competitions and training programmes are being organised at ward, union and upazila levels. The Department of Youth Development is also conducting skills development training programmes.

The government is simultaneously implementing projects to construct mini stadiums in every upazila and establish at least one playground in each union, he said.

Highlighting plans to expand sports education at the grassroots level, Aminul Haque said steps were underway to recruit 11,880 sports teachers.

According to decisions taken at an inter-ministerial meeting between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, three sports teachers will be appointed for each of eight sporting disciplines in every upazila under the primary and mass education ministry.

In addition, 495 upazila sports officers will be appointed under the Ministry of Youth and Sports as part of the initiative.