PM for tackling social menaces thru’ sports
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said social menaces like militancy, terrorism and drug addiction will be tackled through sports to build youths as worthy citizens.
"Through sports, we'll save our youths from militancy, terrorism and drug addiction," she said.
The prime minister was officially inaugurating the first-ever seven-day long Bangladesh Youth Games 2018 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium through a colourful ceremony.
Sheikh Hasina said sports can help build the life of a person properly. "Sports are greatly needed to have a fit body and mind, and create affection for the country and nation."
She mentioned that sports teach discipline, perseverance, dutifulness, tolerance and responsibility.
In addition to education, the PM said, sports and culture are essential to make the youth patriot as they will be the driving force of the country to take it forward.
Some 2,660 athletes from 21 disciplines will compete in 159 events during the final phase of the games.
Manchester Commonwealth Games gold medallist Asif Hossain Khan lit the torch.
Later, artists and singers performed a stage show before a 25-minute display with the participation of different artists exhibiting the past, present and future of Bangladesh.
Finally, a laser show and fireworks took place towards the end of the programme.
Finance minister AMA Muhith and Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) president and army chief general Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq also spoke on the occasion.
Hasina hoped that the National Youth Games will help enlighten the youths of the country's remote areas with their latent talents and thereby create more interest among people on sports and games.
She also elaborated various steps of her government for the development of sports and said a good number of stadiums have been constructed and the existing ones repaired.
Besides, stadiums and sports infrastructures have been developed up to upazila level to expand opportunities on sports, while various tournaments are being arranged at district, upazila and school levels every year, the PM said.
About arrangements for holding Bangabandhu Gold Cup and Bangamata Gold Cup Football tournaments at primary school level across the country, the prime minister said various national sport events are being arranged at the national level on regular basis.
Hasina also highlighted the successes of Bangladesh's players at various national and internationals events.
Highly praising the achievements of female and disabled players, Hasina said they are also bringing honour and dignity for the country by competing in various international sports events.
She also pointed out Bangladesh National Cricket Team's success in the international arena and hoped that Bangladesh will certainly win the World Cup Cricket one day.