Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday attended the closing ceremony of the national round of the Notun Kuri Sports 2025-26 competition and distributed prizes among the winners at the Bangladesh Army Stadium in Dhaka.
Upon his arrival, the prime minister walked around the stadium and acknowledged greetings from children and teenagers in the galleries. He also interacted with the young participants, exchanging greetings and shaking hands with them to enthusiastic cheers.
Tarique watched the girls' football final and the girls' and boys' 100-metre sprint events before handing over prizes to the winners. He also enjoyed a cultural performance presented by schoolchildren.
The inaugural edition of Notun Kuri Sports 2025-26 was launched on May 2 with the regional round at Sylhet District Stadium under the slogan, "On the Path of Dreams, With Victory." This year's theme was "Let Sports Be a Profession, Let Families Find Support."
Around 170,000 athletes aged 12 to 14 from upazilas and districts across the country participated in competitions across eight disciplines.
Following a nationwide talent selection process, the shortlisted athletes advanced to the national round, bringing the first edition of the competition to a close.
Addressing the closing ceremony, he said the responsibility of building a prosperous Bangladesh will ultimately rest on the shoulders of children, asking them to prepare for this.
"You have to build yourselves properly. The future of Bangladesh is looking at you. Bangladesh is looking at you. If you can develop yourselves, we will be able to build a beautiful Bangladesh," the prime minister said.
He said the government could create opportunities, but it will be the country's young generation that carries Bangladesh forward in the future.
“We may have only begun this journey, but it is you who will have to take the task of building Bangladesh forward," Tarique Rahman told thousands of schoolchildren, as the stadium erupted in applause.
He asked the children to raise their hands if they are committed to helping build the nation, drawing an enthusiastic response from thousands of young spectators at the stadium.
Tarique Rahman also urged them to remain equally dedicated to both their studies and sports, saying excellence in academics and athletics should go hand in hand.
