Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officially ushered in a new era for the country’s sports sector on Monday by inaugurating the national sports allowance and sports card programmes.
The landmark event took place at the Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the capital's Tejgaon area, aimed at providing financial security to athletes under the theme -- 'Krira Hole Pesha, Paribar Pabe Bharosha (When sports become a profession, families gain security)'.
Around 10:30 am, the Premier launched the monthly allowance programme digitally. With the press of a button, an initial amount of BDT 100,000 was instantly transferred to the accounts of the participating athletes via Sonali Bank’s online system.
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister handed over sports cards to 129 athletes and honored those who have achieved significant success on the international stage.
State Minister for Sports and Youth, Md Aminul Haque, who chaired the event, announced that while 129 athletes received the allowance today, a total of 500 sportspersons will be brought under the scheme within the next seven days.
The programme currently covers athletes from 20 disciplines, including the SAFF Futsal-winning women’s team, kabaddi, and volleyball. It was noted that cricketers are excluded from this specific salary structure as the cricket board remains financially self-reliant.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended as the guest of honor, while Sports and Youth Secretary Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam delivered the welcome address.
The ceremony featured a documentary highlighting the historical contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and Arafat Rahman Koko to the nation's sports development.
The visual presentation, set to the song "Prothom Bangladesh Amar, Shesh Bangladesh," also detailed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s future vision for elevating athletes' living standards, expanding grassroots talent, and constructing new playgrounds across the country.
The event was attended by a host of high-level officials and dignitaries, including Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, Land Minister Md Mizanur Rahman Minu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Adviser Md Ismail Zabiullah, DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam and BNP Vice Chairman Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon.
