Children’s talent key to building strong, prosperous Bangladesh: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said a strong and prosperous Bangladesh would be built through the development of children’s and adolescents’ talents and creativity, after formally inaugurating the “Notun Kuri Sports 2026-27” (Season-2).
“This Bangladesh has to be built by you. You have to make it. You have to make Bangladesh stand strong in the world. Each of you is an ambassador of Bangladesh and an owner of this country,” he said at the inauguration ceremony at Khulna District Stadium.
Stressing the need for children’s all-round development, he said, “Studies alone are not enough. Every child must also acquire skills in sports, arts and cultural practice.”
Referring to the cultural performances of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) students, he said they had demonstrated their ability to excel beyond sports. He encouraged children across the country to develop their talents in different fields.
Citing the over 16 lakh registrations for this edition of the competition, Tarique said the participation reflects the abundance of talent among the country’s young generation, adding that it was the government’s responsibility to create opportunities for them.
He said the government wanted to ensure children could pursue sports and cultural activities alongside education by gradually developing the necessary facilities.
The PM also announced a plan to introduce a third foreign language, allowing children to choose from six or seven languages in addition to Bangla and English. “If you do well in your studies, become skilled in sports and arts and culture, and learn a third foreign language, no nation in the world will be able to hold you back,” he said. He expressed hope that Bangladesh would one day become so strong and prosperous that other countries would look to it as an example.
The competition was simultaneously inaugurated online in 503 upazilas across the country.
Students from China also performed their traditional dragon and lion dances in the ceremony.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque and Jatiya Sangsad Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul were present at the programme.
A total of 16,23,218 participants aged 10 to 14 have registered for the competition, with the final phase scheduled for next June. Volleyball and table tennis have been added to the eight events featured in the previous edition, taking the total to 10 sports.