Notun Kuri returns with 16.23 lakh young hopefuls

Bangladesh will launch the second edition of its grassroots talent hunt, 'Notun Kuri Sports', with an unprecedented 16lakh 23 thousand young participants, Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque announced on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the initiative at the Khulna District Stadium on 5 November, with the ceremony broadcast live across 503 upazilas. The colossal sporting programme features 1,623,000 registered children comprising 944,833 boys and 679,135 girls competing across 4,599 unions. Volleyball and table tennis have been added this year, expanding the youth competition to 10 disciplines.

Qualifiers will progress through upazila, district, and divisional tiers before culminating in the national finals in Dhaka by May or June. The government plans to launch a third edition shortly after.

Speaking at the National Sports Council (NSC), Aminul initially apologised for arriving late, noting he was attending a Youth Day blood donation and clean-up drive following the Prime Minister’s morning schedule.

Aligning with the government's election manifesto to restructure domestic sports, Aminul confirmed that 40 standout athletes from the inaugural campaign 28 girls and 12 boys have earned permanent scholarships at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) starting in January.

"We do not want to let these athletes fade away," Haque told reporters. "The government will bear all responsibilities for their education and sports. The participation of our young girls is a tremendously encouraging sign."

To train emerging talents locally, the government has directed that all regional BKSP centres be fully equipped by December.

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Before departing to the BFF House to meet the national Under-15 football team stressing his intent to encourage the youth regardless of match results, the minister introduced Sharmin Akter. Akter is a struggling domestic cricketer who sells street food to fund her studies and support her sick mother.

Noting recent state backing for Bauphal villagers who crowdfunded a community sports ground, Aminul pledged immediate support for Akter. "When her struggle came to my attention, I immediately decided we must stand by her," he said.

Aminul concluded by invoking the vision of former President Ziaur Rahman. "The dream envisioned by martyred President Ziaur Rahman for our sports arena which he perhaps could not fully realise we want to implement under the leadership of his worthy son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman," Amimul said, calling on the media to help drive a "social revolution through sports."