Staff Correspondent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday reiterated the government's commitment to creating facilities across various sectors to ensure the country's comprehensive advancement in the future.

"We want the country to progress in every stratum, including sports, in the coming days," she said while giving away prizes to the winners of the Sheikh Hasina Interbank Football Tournament 2024 at the Bangladesh Army Stadium in Dhaka.

The prime minister highlighted the importance of sports in fostering a competitive spirit and self-improvement. Sports help to create an attitude of competition and induce the spirit to upgrade oneself, she said.

"Through sports, education, and cultural activities, everyone will have the opportunity to flourish and showcase their creativity. This is why we prioritise sports."

Sheikh Hasina also mentioned the government's initiative to construct mini-stadiums in every upazila, named Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium, to ensure year-round competition at the upazila level. "We are trying to make people more attentive to various kinds of sports."

She said all over Bangladesh, there are Bangamata Gold Cup football tournaments for girls and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib football tournaments for boys.

“Good players are gradually emerging from there. They are not only in the country but also bringing recognition for Bangladesh at the international level. Presenting Bangladesh to the world through sports is what they are doing.”

Stressing the need for training, she said that it is mostly needed. “That is why we are establishing one BKSP in each division.”

The prime minister said the government wanted the country to progress in all aspects of sports.

“Today we have done digital Bangladesh. We have improved our economy and cut down the poverty rate by more than half, now at 18.7%.”

She also said that the rate of extreme poverty was above 25%, now it has come down to 5.6%.

“Inshallah, no one will be extremely poor in Bangladesh. I am giving a house to everyone free of charge, giving textbooks and scholarships, and providing all kinds of support.”

Mentioning that Bangladesh will continue its progress at the international level, she said, “The country will advance in the world court at an unstoppable speed, as a developed-rich smart Bangladesh.”

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman and Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) Chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumder also spoke at the event.

In the final match, Islami Bank PLC defeated Standard Bank PLC with a score of 2-0.

Earlier, the prime minister watched the second half of the final match and enjoyed a cultural programme.