Bangladesh has launched a sports allowance programme and introduced a structured payment system for athletes, marking a policy shift aimed at recognising sports as a professional sector and improving financial security.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the national sports allowance and sports card programmes at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, where funds were digitally transferred to athletes through the state banking system.
Under the initiative, 129 athletes from 20 disciplines began receiving a monthly allowance, with Tk 100,000 credited to each account via Sonali Bank. Officials said the programme will expand to include 500 athletes within days.
The policy introduces, for the first time, a state-backed salary structure for athletes in Bangladesh, aligning with the government’s broader social and economic framework aimed at formalising sectors and ensuring income stability.
Tarique Rahman said the programme is designed to address long-standing financial uncertainty faced by athletes, which often leads to early career dropouts. He noted that sports are increasingly recognised globally as a profession, and Bangladesh is adapting its policy framework accordingly.
The initiative covers both able-bodied and physically challenged athletes, including participants in futsal, kabaddi, volleyball and archery. Cricketers remain outside the scheme due to the financial independence of the national cricket board.
Officials highlighted that the programme is part of a wider policy agenda linked to the government’s election commitments, focusing on human capital development, youth engagement and structured financial support systems.
In addition to direct financial support, the government announced plans to launch a nationwide talent identification programme titled “Notun Kuri Sports”, aimed at developing grassroots athletes across the country.
Policy measures also include proposed changes to the national education curriculum, with plans to introduce mandatory sports participation from the fourth grade to strengthen long-term athletic development.
Government officials attending the event said the sports allowance scheme reflects a broader shift towards structured welfare and professionalisation across sectors, similar to initiatives already introduced for farmers and religious leaders.
The programme was launched alongside the distribution of sports cards to athletes, formalising their inclusion in the national system and enabling streamlined financial and administrative support.
Officials said the initiative is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s sports ecosystem, improve performance at international competitions, and contribute to long-term socio-economic development through youth empowerment.
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