Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged children to unlock their fullest potential through education, discipline, and sports, saying the stronger they become, the better they will be able to build Bangladesh. Addressing the closing ceremony of Notun Kuri Sports 2025-26 at the Bangladesh Army Stadium, he said the responsibility of building a prosperous Bangladesh will ultimately rest on the shoulders of children, asking them to prepare for this.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister emphasized that while the government could create opportunities, it is the young generation that will carry Bangladesh forward in the future. “You have to build yourselves properly. The future of Bangladesh is looking at you. Bangladesh is looking at you. If you can develop yourselves, we will be able to build a beautiful Bangladesh,” he said.
The Prime Minister encouraged the children by stating that tomorrow’s doctors, engineers, architects, scientists, athletes, and national leaders will emerge from among today’s children, including those gathered at the stadium. He urged them to never consider themselves small or insignificant, emphasizing that their strength will contribute significantly to building a better Bangladesh.
He asked the children to commit to helping build the nation, receiving an enthusiastic response from thousands of young spectators in the stadium. Tarique Rahman also stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between academics and athletics, urging the children to excel in both areas.
Seeking their cooperation, the Prime Minister appealed to children across the country to help keep the nation clean. He stressed that protecting the environment will ensure cleaner surroundings, allowing children to grow up, study, and thrive in a healthy atmosphere.
He also called on the children to discourage littering, dispose of waste in designated places, protect rivers and ponds from pollution, and plant at least one tree every year. He urged them to treat animals with kindness and protect birds and wildlife, as they are valuable parts of the country’s natural heritage.
Assuring the children of the government’s continued support, the Prime Minister said opportunities will be created for those interested in education, music, arts, and sports. He congratulated the winners of the Notun Kuri Sports 2025-26 and thanked parents, teachers, and coaches for their dedication in nurturing the country’s young sporting talent.
Before delivering his speech, Tarique Rahman made a special appeal to journalists and editors to give prominent coverage to the achievements of children participating in the event, describing them as the future of Bangladesh and the country’s greatest hope. He requested that the event be made a lead story in both print and electronic media.
Later, he distributed prizes among the winners and encouraged young athletes, touring the stadium and responding to the cheers of thousands of children and teenagers. He greeted the young participants, exchanged pleasantries, and shook hands with them, drawing enthusiastic applause from the students in attendance.
Earlier, the Prime Minister watched the girls’ football final as well as the boys’ and girls’ 100-meter sprint finals before presenting trophies and awards to the winners. In the boys’ football final, Sylhet Region defeated Mymensingh Region by 1-0 to claim the title, while Rangpur Region beat Rajshahi Region 4-0 to win the girls’ championship.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque, among other senior officials, attended the event. Notun Kuri Sports 2025-26, held under the slogan “On the Path of Dreams, Alongside Victory,” began on May 2 this year and brought together nearly 170,000 young athletes from across the country.