Build resistance against militancy, terrorism: PM

Desk Report: Describing militancy, terrorism, corruption and narcotics as wounds of society, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon all to put up resistance unitedly against these menaces.

“Militancy, terrorism, corruption and drugs are wounds of society … many innocent people are giving lives due to militancy and terrorism and the country and society will have to be protected from these vices,” she said.

The premier added: “So I urge all including parents, guardians, teachers, public representatives, ulema-mashaekh (religious scholars) and imam and muezzins to build up resistance in unison against militancy, terrorism and narcotics and create mass awareness against these social vices.”

The prime minister was addressing the closing function of Bangabandhu Inter-university Sports Championship-2019 at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports organized the month-long competition where 3000 athletes of 65 public and private varsities took part in 10 events including football, cricket, badminton, table tennis, swimming, basketball, handball and athletics.

Highlighting various government steps for flourishing the merit and thinking of the youth, the prime minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wanted to build a hunger and poverty-free Sonar Bangla.

“Bangabandhu wanted that country’s youth community will be golden sons of building Sonar Bangla and to materialize his dream, we hope that youths will be established as golden sons and they will take the country forward,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said among these youths, one day prime ministers, ministers, lawmakers, teachers and sportspersons will be built. “We want to build them in this way from the primary to higher education,” she said.

Pointing out that the role of sports and games is undeniable for building and flourishing nation alongside education, the prime minister pledged to do everything necessary for further development of sports and games in the country.

“We want the country to excel more in sports and games, and on behalf of the government, I am making commitment that we will do whatever is necessary for it,” she said.

The prime minister said her government by assuming office in 1996 after 21 years took various measures for development of games and sports in the country. “But we could not complete all works as we were not allowed to come to power in 2001,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said after being voted to power again in 2009, her government implemented huge works in the socioeconomic field and alleviate poverty.

“Like that we executed many programmes so that the youth can earn efficiency in the field of sports,” she said.

The prime minister said her government is in power for 10 years at a stretch since 2009. “So we want the youths, juveniles and children to be engaged more in sports and cultural activities,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is arranging Bangabandhu Gold Cup and Bangamata Gold Cup Primary Schools Football Competitions for 10 years. “Through the competitions, many efficient footballers are being produced in the country,” she said.

Mentioning her family attachment to the sports and games, the prime minister said her grandfather and father used to play football.

“My brothers Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal also used to play football, cricket and basketball,” she said, adding Sheikh Kamal was the founder of Abahani Krira Chakra, which is the pioneer in modern football in Bangladesh.

The premier said her government is hosting football competition at primary level and other competitions at the university level. “We will now arrange inter-college sports competition … through it, we will get skilled players and we will one day win the World Cup,” she said.

Elaborating her government’s steps for development of the country, the prime minister said her government is advancing the country and as a result the country got dignity on the world stage.

“We restored our dignity that we lost after 1975 and we hope that the country’s advancement and progress will continue. Bangladesh and Bangalee nation will move on the world stage with dignity and by keeping its head high,” she said.

Earlier, the prime minister distributed trophies among the winners of the competition.

She also witnessed the final of football competition between Gono Biswabidyalaya and Far East University.

Gono Biswabidyalaya clinched the title of the football competition beating Far East University by 5-4 in the tiebreaker. The regulation time ended 1-1.

Jashore University of Science and Technology became champions in the Bangabandhu Inter-university Sports Championship-2019 and Uzzal Chandra Sutradhar of the same university was adjudged the best player (male).

Tamanna Aktar of Islamic University was adjudged the best player (female) in the competition.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel and Acting Secretary of the Ministry Dr Md Zafaruddin also spoke on the occasion.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Youth and Sports Ministry Abdullah Al-Islam Jacob, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Bangabandhu Inter-university Sports Championship-2019 Nahim Razzak, MP, and Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hasan Papon, MP, were present at the function. _BSS

risingbd/Dhaka/April 27, 2019/AKA