Photo: BSS

DHAKA, April 7, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque today said sports can play a vital role in building a healthy nation.
    
He made the remarks while addressing a public seminar as the chief guest, organized by the National Heart Foundation in the city's Mirpur area on the occasion of World Health Day.

The seminar was held under the slogan "Sports increases life, heart remains strong". Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury attended the programme as a special guest.

Aminul said the government has been placing increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare, noting that various plans had been taken ahead of the last election to strengthen the country's health services.

He said the government is planning to recruit 100,000 health workers within a short time, of whom around 80 percent will be women. These workers will deliver healthcare services at people's doorsteps through ward and union-level health centres and raise awareness about various complex diseases.

Highlighting initiatives to promote sports, the state minister said 129 national athletes have already been brought under sports allowance and sports card schemes to recognise sports as a profession. The remaining athletes will be included in phases.

He said the "Natun Kuri" sports programme will begin on April 30, targeting children and adolescents aged between 12 and 14 years.

Aminul also said steps are being taken to introduce sports as a compulsory subject from grade four in eight disciplines, with a pass-fail evaluation system similar to other academic subjects.

He called for establishing National Heart Foundation institutions at divisional levels and assured full government support in this regard.