News Flash
DHAKA, June 4, 2026 (BSS) - Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today said sports are being incorporated in curriculum to develop sportsmanship in children.
He made the remarks while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the national-level Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament (Boys-Girls) 2026 at National Bangla High School in Mirpur here.
Addressing as the chief guest, Milon said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman gives the utmost importance to children, so he has given priority to 'Learning with Happiness' to ensure joyful education for children.
Besides, he said, initiatives have been taken to make sports mandatory for students.
"Sports are being included in curriculum to develop sportsmanship in children. In continuation of this, the football tournament has been organised for primary school students," the education minister said.
He said steps have been taken to provide school uniforms to children across Bangladesh, while mid-day meal (school feeding) has been introduced so that children do not suffer from malnutrition and can study with concentration.
There is a plan to provide mid-day meal in all schools of the country by this year, he added.
Noting that the future of the nation lies in children, Milon said this tournament will play a special role in developing sporting skills of children.
Presided over by Primary and Mass Education Secretary Md. Shakhawat Hossain, the event was attended, among others, by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj and Prime Minister's Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin.
Director General of Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi delivered the welcome address at the event.
In his speech as a special guest, State Minister Bobby Hajjaj said the students are the future of Bangladesh.
"The government is considering your needs, potential and development with utmost importance. We are working relentlessly to build a beautiful, prosperous and confident Bangladesh for you," he said.
Dr Mahdi Amin said children are the architects of the future Bangladesh.
"We will develop the sports sector in such a way that sports can be not just entertainment but also a profession. We want to develop the education system in such a way that students can become skilled and worthy citizens of the state," he said.
This tournament started on April 6 this year at the union and municipality levels. Students from 65,569 government primary schools participated in this tournament. About 11,10,814 players from 65,342 teams in the boys' category and 11,03,291 players from 65,321 teams in the girls' category participated in the tournament.
Starting from the union and municipality levels, the upazila/thana, district and divisional level competitions ended on May 23.
From today, a total of 16 teams, including the divisional champions of 8 divisions, (8 boys and 8 girls) will start playing at the national level. The final phase of the tournament began with the games at this level.
