President Opens National Summer Athletics Competition

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that sports are essential to protecting the younger generation from drug addiction, excessive mobile phone use and frustration. He stressed that expanding access to sports and playgrounds is crucial to building a healthy nation and instilling discipline, perseverance and self-confidence among young people.

The President inaugurated the National Summer Athletics Competition on Friday evening at the National Stadium by releasing balloons and festoons. He also formally opened the Arafat Rahman Koko 18th National Athletics Competition 2026.

Describing athletics as the “mother of sports,” the President said it provides a true test of an athlete’s speed, strength, agility, discipline and endurance. Strengthening the foundation of athletics, he noted, would also enhance Bangladesh’s capabilities in other sporting disciplines.

He said sports represent national pride and unity. Seeing Bangladesh’s flag raised on the international stage and hearing the national anthem played at victory ceremonies are moments of pride for the entire nation. At such moments, he added, everyone shares one identity: being Bangladeshi. He urged the country to develop its own athletes and achieve greater success in international competitions.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam said a new sense of enthusiasm was emerging in the country’s sports sector. He acknowledged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s important role in advancing sports at all levels, including grassroots communities, and expressed his sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister.

The President said the government had undertaken several initiatives to expand sports, build a healthier nation and create employment opportunities. These include the introduction of sports cards and sports allowances, grassroots talent identification programmes, and plans to establish modern sports villages at the district level. He also said work had begun following the Prime Minister’s directive to ensure a playground in every union.

He called on the relevant authorities to recover and preserve illegally occupied playgrounds and identify locations for new sporting facilities.

Emphasising equal opportunities for female athletes, the President urged authorities to organise regular competitions at school, college, district and upazila levels so that financial difficulties would not prevent talented athletes from pursuing their potential. He also called for initiatives to introduce inter-school sports competitions.

The President further urged industrial enterprises, banks, insurance companies and business organisations to become long-term sponsors alongside the government to help develop world-class athletes.

Expressing optimism about the competition, he said it would help discover talented athletes who could bring further recognition and pride to Bangladesh on the international stage.

Noting that the competition had been dedicated to the memory of prominent sports organiser Arafat Rahman Koko, the President prayed for the eternal peace of his soul.

The programme was chaired by Bangladesh Athletics Federation President Mohammad Abdullah Zaber. State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque attended as the special guest, while the federation’s General Secretary, Advocate Ali Imam Tapan, delivered the welcome address.

Earlier, contingents representing 57 participating teams took part in a march-past, followed by the performance of the competition’s theme song. Former athletes Mohiuddin Ahmed and Sumita Rani Das lit the Games flame.

After the inauguration, the President watched the men’s and women’s 100-metre sprint events and presented medals to the winners.

The President arrived at the National Stadium at around 4:00 pm, where he was received by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque; Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam; Bangladesh Athletics Federation President Mohammad Abdullah Zaber; and General Secretary Advocate Ali Imam Tapan.

The event was hosted by Sadia Afrin, Shahriar Faisal Ahmed, and Anika Ishraf Iqra.