The Khulna divisional round of the National University Inter-College Sports Competition 2026 began on Thursday in a festive atmosphere, with 1,126 student-athletes from 33 colleges taking part.
Of the participants, 782 are male students and 344 are female students. The athletes secured first place and gold medals at the district-level competitions before qualifying for the divisional round.
Organised by the university’s Directorate of Physical Education and Culture under its “Learning with Happiness” programme, the three-day competition features 66 events in football, cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, swimming and athletics.
The competition was inaugurated by releasing balloons at the Government Brajalal (BL) College ground in Khulna on Thursday morning.
National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah presided over the programme, while Bangladesh Parliament Whip and Khulna-3 MP Rakibul Islam Bakul attended as the chief guest.
Bakul said conventional education alone was not enough to help Bangladesh progress in the modern world. He stressed the need for students to acquire modern, skills-based education in line with changing global demands.
He praised the National University administration’s initiative to introduce skills-based courses, saying employment-oriented and modern education would help young people establish themselves globally and contribute to the country’s development.
He also stressed the importance of sports and cultural activities in students’ physical and mental development. Sports, he said, not only help maintain physical fitness but also build confidence, discipline and a competitive mindset.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Amanullah said students could not achieve their full potential if they remained confined to classroom studies.
Sports teach discipline, punctuality, teamwork and how to accept both victory and defeat, while also helping students develop leadership skills, he said.
The vice-chancellor said the National University was focusing on engaging students in sports, cultural activities and other extracurricular programmes alongside academic studies.
He said the “Learning with Happiness” initiative aims to create an environment where students can learn with joy and have opportunities to develop their talents.
Congratulating the students who advanced from the district to the divisional level, Amanullah said winning medals should not be the only objective. Students should also strive to become responsible citizens and good athletes.
He announced the formation of language and career clubs for students of BL College and urged the college authorities to propose new programmes in globally demanded fields, including tourism and hospitality management, executive MBA and BBA.
Speaking about reforms at the National University, Amanullah said reforming the university was essential to bringing meaningful change to Bangladesh’s education system.
He said the university was working to create a modern, environmentally friendly and future-oriented educational environment. As part of the initiative, it plans to install solar panels at affiliated colleges to develop green campuses.
The “One Student, One Tree” programme is also being implemented to encourage students to take responsibility for the environment and make campuses greener and more vibrant.
The opening ceremony drew students, teachers and sports enthusiasts from different colleges, creating a lively atmosphere at the BL College ground.
The competition will conclude with the finals on October 10. Students winning gold medals by securing first place in their respective events at the divisional level will get the opportunity to compete in the final national-level sports competition.
Among others, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, MPs Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Advocate Sheikh Jahangir Hussain Helal attended the programme as special guests.
BL College Principal Professor Saiful Islam delivered the welcome speech.
Officials and teachers from the National University and affiliated colleges were also present at the event.
