Students are future MPs, ministers and presidents: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has described young students as Bangladesh's "imminent future", saying the country's next generation of leaders will emerge from them as he launched the nationwide Notun Kuri Sports talent-hunting programme in Sylhet.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Sylhet Stadium in Rikabi Bazar on Wednesday, the prime minister urged students to pursue sports alongside their studies and prepare themselves to lead the country. The programme, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, was launched simultaneously in Sylhet and all 64 districts. The event featured the screening of a documentary on Notun Kuri Sports and the theme song, Amra Notun, Amra Kuri.

Addressing students at the stadium and those joining virtually from across the country, Tarique Rahman said, "I want each of you, who are sitting in the gallery, to become an ambassador of Bangladesh. You will have to take the responsibility of Bangladesh, because you are the future of the country."

He encouraged young people to develop themselves through both education and extracurricular activities. "Now you have to study and play. You have to build yourselves. Whoever wants to become an athlete will become an athlete. At the same time, whoever wants to learn singing will learn singing, whoever wants to become a musician will become a musician. We will make arrangements for that, InShaAllah," he said.

The prime minister described the students attending the event, as well as those connected virtually from all 64 districts, as the ceremony's chief guests. "Little friends, our time is almost over. Now Bangladesh is looking towards you. We will start... you will have to take Bangladesh forward. Can you do it?" he asked. Students responded, "Yes, we can," prompting him to reply, "I know all of you will definitely be able to do it, InShaAllah."

He said Bangladesh's future members of parliament, ministers, prime ministers and presidents would come from today's young students and urged them to become skilled and capable citizens. "Each of you has to grow up. Only then Bangladesh will grow. The Bangladesh of tomorrow depends entirely on you. The better and more beautifully you grow, the more beautifully and on a stronger foundation Bangladesh will be built," he said.

Recalling how the initiative was conceived, Tarique Rahman said the idea emerged about four and a half years ago during a meeting in London with Md Aminul Haque, now the state minister for youth and sports. "One day we were sitting and chatting. At that time, I started talking about sports, as Aminul is a sportsman... and at one point, we decided, sitting at the dining table, that we would launch Notun Kuri Sports in Bangladesh," he said.

Before the inauguration, the prime minister watched demonstrations by students of the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) in eight disciplines: cricket, kabaddi, football, athletics, chess, badminton, swimming and martial arts. He applauded the participants before formally launching the programme, unveiling its trophy and logo, and greeting the student athletes on the stadium field.

The ceremony also included the release of pigeons and environmentally friendly balloons. The prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque and Youth and Sports Secretary Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam also addressed the event. Among those present were Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, Prime Minister's Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Whip Md GK Gouse, Mst Tahsina Rushdir Luna, MP, Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury, students from educational institutions and representatives from various professions.

Notun Kuri Sports has been launched as a continuation of the popular Notun Kuri talent hunting programme of the 1980s. It is being implemented by the Sports Directorate under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.