DPE initiative brings national football finals to classrooms

In a move aimed at encouraging greater student participation in sports and strengthening school-based sporting culture, the national finals of the Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament 2026 were screened live in government primary schools across the country on Saturday.

The initiative enabled students to watch the boys’ and girls’ national final matches through multimedia projectors installed in schools, allowing children nationwide to experience the country’s premier primary-level football competition.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) had earlier instructed field-level education authorities to make the necessary arrangements. In a directive issued on Tuesday (16 June), upazila and thana primary education officers were asked to ensure that the matches were displayed in schools under their jurisdictions.

The national-level final matches of the Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament (Boys and Girls) 2026 were held at the Bangladesh Army Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday (20 June).

Mahbuba Irene, Director of the Directorate of Primary Education, said the initiative was undertaken to increase students’ interest in sports, promote the development of sports culture and provide children with exposure to national-level competitions.

Earlier, a directive signed by the Director (Administration) of the Directorate of Primary Education stated that upazila and thana education officials would supervise the screening arrangements and coordinate necessary activities in their respective areas.

Education stakeholders believe that the national football tournament can play an important role in fostering sportsmanship, discipline, leadership qualities and teamwork among students. They also expect the initiative to strengthen the environment for sports activities at the school level.