Khulna, October 25, 2026 (V7N) – State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said Sunday the government is planning to enhance the capacity of the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) to provide talented athletes from the Khulna region with opportunities to pursue education and sports training locally.
"The government aims to keep children and adolescents away from device addiction and create opportunities for talented grassroots athletes to develop their skills," he said while speaking to newsmen during a visit to Khulna District Stadium in the afternoon.
"Through sports, the government wants to bring qualitative changes to society and build a healthy nation and a drug-free Bangladesh," he said.
The State Minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would inaugurate the second edition of Notun Kuri Sports simultaneously in 503 upazilas across the country from Khulna District Stadium on November 5. A total of 16,23,000 participants have registered online for this year's competition, and around 14 lakh athletes are expected to take part, he said.
Aminul said the number of registered participants had increased significantly from 1,68,000 in the first edition to 16.23 lakh this year. The competition will begin with team formation in 4,599 unions, with participants advancing through union, upazila, district and divisional levels before competing at the national level. The final round is expected to conclude in May or June next year, he added.
Talented athletes identified during the first edition are currently receiving 40 days of training at BKSP. After the training, selected athletes will be considered for permanent admission to the institution. The government will bear all their educational and sports-related expenses to ensure that promising talents are not lost, he said.
During his visit to Khulna District Stadium, Aminul observed that more than half of its gallery was missing. Plans have been taken to turn the facility into a full-fledged stadium, and he expressed hope that construction of the gallery could begin soon. He also visited Khulna Divisional Stadium and the Women's Sports Complex, describing the latter as being in a dilapidated condition. Necessary initiatives will be taken to improve these sports facilities, he said.
Regarding plans to enhance BKSP's capacity in Khulna, the State Minister said the prime minister had instructed the authorities to make the country's BKSP institutions self-sufficient. The initiative would allow students from the Khulna division to pursue education and sports training in their home region, with the programme expected to begin in January.
On security arrangements for the Prime Minister's visit, Aminul said comprehensive measures were being taken in coordination with the Special Security Force (SSF) and other relevant agencies. Preparations were also underway to ready the venue, manage the event and conduct publicity activities for a successful inauguration ceremony.
Whip and lawmaker for Khulna-3 constituency Rakibul Islam Bakul, Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, Deputy Commissioner Hoore Jannat, District Council Administrator Monirul Hasan Bappi, representatives of the district sports association, government officials, sports organisers and other concerned persons were present.
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