State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque has said the second edition of 'Natun Kuri Sports 2026-27' will be launched simultaneously in 503 upazilas across the country on November 5, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman scheduled to inaugurate the programme at Khulna District Stadium.
Around 16.23 lakh online registrations have already been recorded for the second edition, compared to 1.68 lakh in the inaugural edition, the state minister said.
Teams will be formed in 4,599 unions from among the registered participants, enabling around 14 lakh young athletes to take part in the competition. The final round is expected to be completed in May or June next year.
The state minister made the remarks while briefing journalists after visiting Khulna District Stadium today to inspect preparations for the inauguration of the programme.
He said the initiative aims to identify and develop talented athletes at the grassroots level across the country.
"Many of the athletes who emerged successfully from the first edition are now undergoing training at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP)," he said, adding that the government would take responsibility for developing their sporting skills and ensuring their education.
Aminul hoped that the initiative would bring significant changes to the country's sports sector and contribute to broader social transformation.
He said: "Prime Minister Tarique Rahman believes that encouraging the younger generation to participate in sports is essential to changing the existing social system."
Sports can help build a healthy nation and a drug-free society, he added. The state minister also said there are plans to transform Khulna District Stadium into a fully equipped, self-sufficient sports facility.
According to the upcoming sports calendar, activities will be organized throughout the year at Khulna District Stadium, Khulna Divisional Stadium and the Divisional Women's Sports Complex from January.
Bangladesh National Parliament Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Md. Mahfuzul Alam Khan, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate of Khulna district Hure Jannat, District Council Administrator SM Monirul Hasan Bappi, Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin and District Sports Association General Secretary Molla Khairul Islam, among others, were present during the visit.
Earlier, the state minister visited Khulna Divisional Stadium, the BKSP Regional Training Centre and the Divisional Women's Sports Complex.
Later, he attended a view-exchange meeting as the chief guest at the conference room of the Khulna Divisional Commissioner in connection with the inauguration of 'Natun Kuri Sports 2026-27'.
The meeting was chaired by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Md. Mahfuzul Alam Khan, and attended by Parliament Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul, Khulna-1 lawmaker Amir Ezaz Khan, Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun and other district and divisional level officials.BSS