Sports being integrated into curriculum: Minister
Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said that sports are being incorporated into the national curriculum to develop sportsmanship among children and promote holistic learning.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the national-level Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament (Boys-Girls) 2026 held at National Bangla High School in Mirpur on Thursday.
Addressing the event, the minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman places the highest importance on children and has prioritised the concept of “Learning with Happiness” to ensure a joyful educational environment.
He added that initiatives have also been taken to make sports mandatory for students.
“Sports are being included in curriculum to develop sportsmanship in children. In continuation of this, the football tournament has been organised for primary school students,” the minister said.
He further said steps have been taken to provide school uniforms to children across Bangladesh, while a mid-day meal (school feeding) programme has been introduced to prevent malnutrition and help students concentrate on studies.
The minister also said there is a plan to extend the mid-day meal programme to all schools in the country within this year.
Stressing the importance of children as the nation’s future, he said the tournament would play a significant role in developing their sporting skills.
The programme was presided over by Primary and Mass Education Secretary Md. Shakhawat Hossain. State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj and Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin attended the event as special guests. Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi delivered the welcome address.
Speaking as a special guest, State Minister Bobby Hajjaj said students are the future of Bangladesh and that the government is prioritising their needs, potential and development.
“We are working relentlessly to build a beautiful, prosperous and confident Bangladesh for you,” he said.
Dr Mahdi Amin said children are the architects of future Bangladesh and emphasised developing sports as both a profession and a means of building skilled citizens.
The tournament began on April 6 at union and municipality levels, with participation from 65,569 government primary schools.
According to organisers, around 11,10,814 players from 65,342 teams in the boys’ category and 11,03,291 players from 65,321 teams in the girls’ category took part in the competition.
The tournament progressed through union and municipality levels, followed by upazila/thana, district and divisional stages, which concluded on May 23.
From Thursday, 16 teams – the divisional champions from eight divisions (eight boys’ and eight girls’ teams) – began competing at the national level as the final phase of the tournament commenced.
