Sport is not just competition, it also builds harmony and patriotism: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman

Sport is not confined to competition alone; it strengthens goodwill, harmony, mutual respect and the spirit of patriotism among people, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said. He also noted that games and sports play an immense role in building a healthy, conscious, capable and self-confident nation.

The prime minister made the remarks in a message issued on the occasion of the 'Koko 18th National Summer Athletics Competition-2026'. The competition will be held from October 23 to 25 in memory of the late sports organiser Arafat Rahman Koko of the Bangladesh Athletics Federation.

In the message, the prime minister extended warm greetings and congratulations to the organisers, participating athletes, coaches, officials, judges, sports organisers and everyone involved with the competition. He also wished the event overall success.

He said the event is not merely a sporting competition; it is an important effort to take the country's sporting arena to a respected position internationally. Through it, new talent will emerge, interest in sports among young men and women will grow, and the foundation of athletics at the national level will become stronger, he hoped.

The prime minister said sport is no longer only a means of entertainment or physical fitness; it has also gained recognition as a profession. In Bangladesh too, the present government has included sports education in the syllabus from the school level to establish sport as a profession, he said. Sport is one of the main means of developing physical ability, mental toughness, discipline, self-confidence and leadership qualities, the message added.

Describing athletics as one of the fundamental bases of sport, he said events such as running, jumping and throwing develop an athlete's speed, strength, endurance, coordination and mental resilience. Athletics also plays an important role in presenting a country's overall capability and sporting development on the international stage.

The prime minister called for planned and sustained initiatives to develop athletics in Bangladesh, to search for talent at the grassroots and to produce athletes of international standard.

He said there are countless talented young men and women from the remotest areas to the cities who have great potential to succeed at national and international levels. Developing their talent requires a suitable environment, modern training, skilled coaches, science-based practice, nutrition and medical care, and opportunities to take part in regular competition. Events such as the national athletics competition give talented players the chance to showcase their ability and inspire a new generation of athletes to move forward.

Calling for special emphasis on grassroots talent hunts to strengthen Bangladesh's sporting arena and bring success in international competition, the prime minister said effective coordination must be built among educational institutions, local sports organisations, district and divisional sports bodies and the national federations.

Alongside regular training and care for talented players, their education, health, safety and future livelihood must also be considered, he noted. He urged everyone concerned to play a responsible role in creating an environment in which an athlete can take up sport as a respectable profession.

Speaking of the true beauty of sport, the prime minister said it lies in fair competition, discipline, honesty and respect for the opponent. Victory and defeat are natural parts of competition; a true sportsperson remains composed in the joy of victory and also learns from defeat. He called on all participating athletes to follow the rules and give their best with utmost dedication and a sporting spirit. He also requested the organisers and officials concerned to maintain transparency, neutrality and professionalism.

Calling the youth the country's greatest asset, the prime minister said if their talent, labour, courage and creativity can be engaged in positive work, Bangladesh will move towards a more promising future. Sport can keep young people away from drugs, frustration, antisocial activities and negative tendencies and encourage them towards a healthy life. Practice on the field teaches them punctuality, team responsibility, perseverance and how to face adversity.

Urging that women athletes must not be left behind in athletics, he said the development of women athletes' talent, quality training and expanded opportunities to take part in national and international competition must be ensured. At the same time, initiatives must be taken to ensure necessary facilities for players from the country's remote areas. He called for vigilance so that no talent is deprived of the chance to flourish because of geographical location or financial limitations.

The prime minister said the combined cooperation of the government, sports federations, clubs, sponsor organisations, the media, educational institutions and guardians is essential for the development of Bangladesh's sporting arena. An effective sporting environment must be built through developing sports infrastructure, preserving fields, modernising training and properly valuing athletes. He expressed hope that the Bangladesh Athletics Federation will further energise its activities of holding regular competitions, hunting for talent and producing athletes of international standard.