Effat Saniya Nancy, Khulna 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized on Thursday afternoon that children and youth must actively participate in sports, cultural activities, and fine arts along with  their academic pursuits to build a well-rounded and capable generation.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of "Notun Kuri Sports 2026–27" (Season-2), held at the Khulna District Stadium.

Addressing the audience, the Prime Minister stated that today's youth represent the future of the nation and will steer the country forward. He assured that the government will establish the necessary infrastructure and environment so students can regularly participate in sports and cultural activities alongside their studies.

Highlighting the scale of the competition, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman noted that over 1.6 million children and teenagers have registered for the second season of Notun Kuri Sports, demonstrating that young individuals are eager to showcase their potential when given adequate opportunities.

The Prime Minister arrived at the Khulna District Stadium at 3:45 pm, where he formally inaugurated the second season by releasing balloons and pigeons, while simultaneously launching the competition online across 503 upazilas nationwide. State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haq and Whip of the National Parliament and Member of Parliament for Khulna-3 Rokibul Islam Bakul accompanied him.

During the event, the Prime Minister witnessed performances by students from the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) as well as cultural presentations by visiting Chinese students. Upon entering the stadium, he walked over to the spectator galleries to greet thousands of cheering students and young athletes, who welcomed him with applause.

Following the inaugural ceremony, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman planted a sapling on the Khulna District Stadium premises. He then visited the Khulna Circuit House ground, walking around the perimeter to exchange greetings and handshakes with members of the public gathered there. He departed Khulna for Dhaka by helicopter at 5:22 pm.

A total of 16,23,218 participants nationwide registered online for Season-2 of Notun Kuri Sports. With the addition of volleyball and table tennis to the previous eight categories, athletes aged 10 to 14 are competing across 10 sporting events. Organized under the banner "Sport as a Profession, Security for the Family," the first season of the competition was inaugurated in Sylhet on May 2.