A total of Taka 8.41 crore was distributed as sports allowances, sports education scholarships, and medical and financial assistance during the 2025-26 fiscal year (FY) under the 'Jatio Krirashebi Kalyan Foundation' of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The distribution ceremony was held at the conference room of the National Sports Council on Monday.
State Minister for Youth and Sports and Chairman of the Jatiyo Krirashebi Kalyan Foundation Md. Aminul Haque, attended the event as the chief guest while Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Vice-Chairman of the Foundation Md. Mahbub-Ul-Alam presided over the programme.
Organised under the slogan, "If sports become a profession, family will find security," the foundation provided support to athletes through several welfare initiatives.
A total of Taka 8.41 crore and 74 thousand have been provided for sports allowance, sports education scholarships, and medical and financial assistance in the FY26.
Of this, Taka 5 crore, 39 lakh and 10 thousand was provided to 1,797 sports persons as sports allowance from the revenue budget and Taka 32 lakh and 40 thousand was provided to 42 indigent and sick sportspersons as medical and financial assistance from the dividend of seed money through the BEFTN system.
Furthermore, 1,423 talented and emerging student-athletes received sports education scholarships totaling Taka two crore, 70 lakhs and 24 thousand.
Addressing deputy commissioners and district sports officers from across the country who joined the programme virtually, State Minister Aminul Haque said the government is committed to ensuring that the benefits reach deserving athletes who have dedicated many years to sports.
He expressed optimism that the programme would become more organised, transparent and effective in the coming years.
Speaking about future welfare initiatives for former athletes, the State Minister said a comprehensive database would be prepared in consultation with all national sports federations to identify former athletes currently living in financial hardship.
Eligible sports persons included in the list would be brought permanently under the sports allowance programme, he added.
The state minister also said the government is formulating a new policy and introducing necessary reforms to the sports allowance guidelines to ensure that the foundation's welfare activities reach athletes at the grassroots level across the country.