Sports can shield youth from addiction, despair: President

President calls for broader sports access to support Bangladesh’s youth

Bdbusinessdaily.com – President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged a nationwide expansion of sports facilities, arguing that regular participation in games and athletics can help young people avoid drug use, unhealthy dependence on mobile phones and feelings of hopelessness.

Speaking at the opening of the Arafat Rahman Koko 18th National Summer Athletics Competition 2026 in Dhaka on 26 October, the president said sports should be treated as an important part of building a healthier, more disciplined society. He inaugurated the event at the National Stadium in the evening by releasing balloons and festoons.

“Without sports, there is no alternative to keeping the younger generation away from drug addiction, mobile phone addiction and frustration,” he said.

He said sporting activity gives young people an environment in which they can develop discipline, persistence and confidence. In his view, making playgrounds and organised competitions more accessible is essential if Bangladesh wants to steer its younger generation away from damaging influences.

Athletics as the foundation of sporting success

Describing athletics as the “mother of all sports,” Mirza Fakhrul said the discipline measures core qualities that matter across competitive sport, including speed, strength, agility, endurance and self-control. He said athletes who develop a solid grounding in track and field are better placed to contribute to stronger performances in other sports as well.

The president linked sporting achievement with national identity, noting that international events can bring people together behind the national flag and anthem. He said moments of sporting success create a shared sense of belonging beyond personal, regional or social differences.

“At that moment, we have only one identity – we are Bangladeshis,” he said.

He called for more focused efforts to identify and develop athletes within the country who can represent Bangladesh successfully on international stages. The message placed long-term talent development at the centre of sports policy, rather than relying only on occasional competitions or short-term support.

Government initiatives and local facilities

Mirza Fakhrul said renewed momentum had emerged in the national sports sector and credited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with encouraging the growth of different disciplines from the grassroots. He expressed thanks to the prime minister for initiatives intended to advance sport throughout the country.

Among the measures mentioned were sports cards, sports allowances and grassroots talent-search programmes. The government is also planning modern sports villages at district level, with the stated aims of promoting active lifestyles, strengthening the sporting culture and creating employment opportunities.

The president said the prime minister had instructed authorities to ensure that every union has a playground, and that work on the initiative was already underway. He asked the relevant agencies to reclaim fields that have been illegally occupied, protect existing venues and locate suitable land for additional playgrounds.

For communities, accessible fields can serve more than one purpose. They provide spaces for physical activity, school-level competition and social interaction, while giving young people an alternative to spending their free time in isolation. The president’s remarks highlighted the importance of maintaining these public spaces as part of broader youth development.

Equal opportunity and sustained sponsorship

The president also stressed that women athletes must receive equal opportunities. He said financial difficulty should never be allowed to prevent a promising sportsperson from pursuing their ability and urged a more supportive environment for talented competitors.

He called for routine sports events at schools, colleges, upazilas and districts so emerging athletes can be noticed early and trained further. He also asked the authorities to introduce inter-school sports competitions, which could create a more regular route for students to participate and demonstrate their potential.

Developing competitors capable of performing at world level will require support beyond government programmes, he said. Industrial companies, banks, insurance firms and members of the business community were encouraged to become long-term sponsors alongside public institutions.

Such sustained backing, the president indicated, would help athletes continue training and competing rather than losing opportunities because of limited resources. He expressed hope that the national summer athletics meet would uncover a new group of competitors who could bring further international recognition to Bangladesh.

Opening ceremony at the National Stadium

The competition was dedicated to the memory of prominent sports organiser Arafat Rahman Koko. Mirza Fakhrul offered prayers for the eternal peace of his soul before formally declaring the event open.

Bangladesh Athletics Federation President Mohammad Abdullah Zaber presided over the ceremony. State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque attended as special guest, while federation General Secretary Advocate Ali Imam Tapan gave the welcome address.

Before the competition began, 57 participating teams took part in a march-past. The opening programme also featured the event’s theme song. Former athletes Mohiuddin Ahmed and Sumita Rani Das lit the Games torch, marking the formal start of the competition.

After the inauguration, the president watched the men’s and women’s 100-metre sprint races and handed medals to the winners. On his arrival at the National Stadium, he was welcomed by State Minister Md Aminul Haque, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam, Mohammad Abdullah Zaber and Advocate Ali Imam Tapan.

The event placed athletics at the forefront of a wider call for protected playgrounds, consistent competition and broader support for young talent. Its central message was that investment in sport can strengthen both individual lives and the country’s collective sporting future.