Aminul Haque vows politics-free sporting arena at Mohammedan event

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque declared a firm push to free Bangladesh’s sporting arena from political influence on Tuesday, vowing to restore professionalism and unity across clubs.

Speaking at a reception for the newly elected board of Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club, the State Minister stressed that sport must rise “above politics” to thrive.

“We want competition to stay on the field, not in boardrooms,” he said. “Clubs like Mohammedan and Abahani must revive their true spirit without political interference.”

The former footballer, who began his journey as a junior goalkeeper at Mohammedan in 1994, reflected on his roots while outlining an ambitious roadmap for the country’s sporting future.

He revealed that the government has already introduced a structured allowance system for national athletes. A total of 129 players have been brought under the scheme, with plans to expand it to 500 athletes within days.

“This is a landmark step,” he said. “We are ensuring financial security so athletes can focus solely on performance.”

The State Minister also announced a nationwide grassroots programme set to be launched on 30 April from Sylhet, with simultaneous activities across all 64 districts.

He admitted that political divisions had previously hindered clubs like Mohammedan but insisted that reforms are underway.

“We will rebuild our sporting culture with genuine organisers and passionate stakeholders,” the former goalkeeper asserted.