Young people should focus on sports, not drugs: LGRD minister

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Sunday that young people must be kept away from drugs and engaged in sports, culture and creative activities.

“There is no alternative to sports for building a healthy, humane and promising Bangladesh,” he said while addressing ‘Valerion World Cup Night 2026’, a day-long sports and entertainment event held at Shaheed Farhan Faiyaz Playground beside the western side of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The event, organised jointly by Valerion ARC Ltd and socio-cultural organisation Ahoban, featured a blend of football, entertainment and social inclusion.

The main attraction was a special football tournament featuring people with disabilities and special needs.

Thanking the organisers for arranging the event, the minister said initiatives to involve people with special needs in mainstream sports would spread a positive message in society and inspire everyone to move forward equally.

Among private universities, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) emerged as champions, while Fareast International University finished runners-up.

Congratulating the champion teams from both the private university category and the category for people with disabilities and special needs, the minister announced a prize of Tk100,000 for each team from his personal fund.

According to the organisers, ‘Valerion World Cup Night 2026’ was organised to promote social harmony and inclusion through sports and engage young people in positive activities.

The participation of players with special needs made the event more meaningful and humane, they said.