The "Notun Kuri Sports-2026" talent hunt program was officially inaugurated in Barisal on Saturday, May 2, aimed at identifying gifted young athletes from the grassroots level.
The regional event was launched by Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Md. Sohrab Hossain at the Kabi Jibanananda Das Stadium. The ceremony began at 3:00 PM with the release of balloons, coinciding with the nationwide rollout of the program.
Program Highlights and Objectives
Organized by the Barisal District Administration and the District Sports Office under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the competition focuses on children aged 12 to 14. The initiative aims to nurture latent potential in eight different sporting disciplines, including football and cricket.
Participants: Selected athletes from 10 upazilas of Barisal and the City Corporation area.
Opening Day Events: The first day featured intense competition in Athletics (Boys' and Girls' 100m sprint) and Badminton held at the Indoor Stadium.
Schedule: While athletics and badminton took center stage on opening day, competitions for other events are scheduled to run from May 3 to May 8.
Leadership and Community Support
The inauguration saw a strong turnout of local officials and sports enthusiasts. Distinguished guests included:
Adv. Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, Administrator of Barisal City Corporation.
Professor Md. Yunus Ali Siddiqui, Chairman of the Barisal Education Board.
Upama Farisa, Additional District Magistrate.
Md. Alaul Hasan, Additional Superintendent of Police.
Addressing the gathering, speakers emphasized that the "Notun Kuri Sports" platform is essential for steering the youth toward healthy lifestyles and away from social vices. They noted that the talent discovered during this week-long event would represent the future of Bangladesh's sports industry.
The event was also attended by AKM Aktharuzzaman Talukder, Deputy Director of the District Social Services Office, and Belal Hossain, Additional Deputy Police Commissioner, alongside teachers, students, and local sports fans.
