Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare, Professor Dr Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain has said the government is working to establish sports as a profession.
“For the first time in the country’s history, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has brought athletes under a salary structure and inaugurated a sports allowance program,” he said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day "Best of Best National Kickboxing Championship 2026", organized by the National Kickboxing Association at the Mohammad Ali Boxing Stadium in the capital on Friday.
The minister said sports serve as a unique and powerful means of promoting children’s physical and mental development and boosting their self-confidence.
He said the government has taken an initiative to construct a playground in every union across the country to encourage sports activities at the grassroots level.
He mentioned that talented young athletes scattered across remote areas of the country are being identified and brought to the national level through groundbreaking programs such as "Natun kuri Sports".
They will, in the future, bring glory and reputation to Bangladesh on the world stage, he added.
When the organisers demanded inclusion of kickboxing in the "Natun kuri Sports" program, the minister assured them of providing all necessary assistance in this regard.
President of the National Kickboxing Association Ishtiaq Abedin chaired the programme.
General Secretary of the association Mostafizur Rahman Mostafiz, renowned athletes, coaches and referees from different parts of the country, officials from the ministry and sports-related organisations, and sports-loving spectators were present.
