Dhaka, May 22, 2026 — The government is undertaking a comprehensive restructuring of Bangladesh’s sports ecosystem from the grassroots to the national level to ensure young people remain actively involved in sports alongside their academic pursuits, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque said on Friday.
Speaking as the chief guest at a program marking the 78th founding anniversary (Engineers Day) of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), the minister said a structured athlete development pathway is being introduced from union, upazila, district and divisional levels to the national stage.
The event, held at the Engineers Recreation Centre (ERC) auditorium in Dhaka, featured a seminar titled “Healthy Aging” and an award ceremony for the Sports Tournament-2026.
“We are building a sustainable sports structure that will keep children and young athletes engaged in organized sports for a significant part of the year,” Aminul Haque said.
According to the minister, competitions have already been completed at the upazila, district and divisional levels, while the national phase is expected to begin after Eid. He added that the next full sports season will start in September and continue through March or April, allowing young participants to remain involved in sports activities for nearly six months annually.
As part of the initiative, eight sports disciplines have already been made mandatory under the new framework, with volleyball and table tennis expected to be added next season, bringing the total number of mandatory sports to ten.
Aminul Haque also announced that exceptionally talented athletes identified through the competitions will receive government support, including educational opportunities and professional sports training through divisional-level BKSP institutes and the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP) in Dhaka.
Highlighting the importance of physical activity, the minister said previous generations maintained better health through regular outdoor play and active lifestyles.
“If children regularly go to playgrounds, they are less likely to become ill and will lead healthier lives,” he said.
Addressing the seminar’s theme of healthy aging, Aminul Haque stressed the role of walking, exercise and sports in maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing. He noted that newly developed playgrounds across the country are being designed with walking tracks to promote healthier lifestyles among people of all ages.
The state minister also praised the IEB for organizing the event, noting that while engineers play a crucial role in the nation’s infrastructure development, maintaining physical and mental fitness is equally important for a productive professional life.
Speaking as a special guest, Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Rizu) said the IEB has served as a unifying platform for Bangladesh’s engineering community for the past 78 years. He emphasized the need to promote healthy aging among both senior and younger engineers.
Prof Dr Engineer Md Sabbir Mostafa Khan highlighted that engineers often neglect physical fitness due to demanding work schedules and underscored the importance of regular exercise, health screenings and mental wellbeing.
Engineer AKM Shoaib Bashari Hablu said professional excellence must be accompanied by personal wellbeing, noting that sports and health awareness contribute significantly to long-term productivity.
The seminar’s keynote paper was presented by SM Monjurul Islam Chowdhury, who discussed the scientific importance of maintaining physical and mental balance, proper nutrition and regular exercise as people age.
In his presidential address, Engineer Khan Ataur Rahman Santu reaffirmed IEB’s commitment to helping build a healthier and more prosperous Bangladesh, emphasizing that physically fit professionals can continue contributing effectively to national development.
The event concluded with the distribution of trophies and awards among winners of various competitions under Sports Tournament-2026. Senior IEB officials, ERC Dhaka members and a large number of engineers attended the program.
