Sports essential to keeping young people away from drugs: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said sports are essential to protecting young people from drug addiction, mobile phone addiction and frustration.

He made the remarks on Friday evening while inaugurating the Arafat Rahman Koko 18th National Summer Athletics Competition 2026 at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

The president said sports teach young people discipline, perseverance and self-confidence. Expanding sports facilities and ensuring access to playgrounds are crucial to building a healthy nation and protecting the younger generation from harmful influences.

Describing athletics as the mother of sports, he said it tests athletes’ speed, strength, agility, discipline and endurance.

A strong foundation in athletics would also help improve the country’s performance in other sports.

He said sports symbolise national pride and unity, adding that seeing Bangladesh’s flag raised and the national anthem played at international competitions was a source of pride for the entire nation.

The president stressed the need to develop homegrown athletes capable of bringing success to Bangladesh on the international stage.

He also highlighted government initiatives to expand sports, build a healthy nation and create employment opportunities.

These include sports cards, sports allowances, grassroots talent identification programmes and plans to establish modern sports villages at the district level.

He said work had begun following the prime minister’s directive to ensure a playground in every union.

The president also called on the authorities to reclaim illegally occupied playgrounds, preserve existing facilities and identify new sites for sports grounds.

Emphasising equal opportunities for female athletes, he urged the authorities to organise regular competitions at school, college, district and upazila levels so that talented athletes would not be left behind due to financial constraints.

He also called for the introduction of inter-school sports competitions and urged industrial groups, banks, insurance companies and businesspeople to provide long-term sponsorship to develop world-class athletes.

The competition is dedicated to the memory of sports organiser Arafat Rahman Koko. The president prayed for the salvation of his soul.

A total of 57 teams took part in the march-past ahead of the competition. Former athletes Mahuddin Ahmed and Sumita Rani Das lit the games’ torch.

Following the inauguration, the president watched the men’s and women’s 100-metre sprint events and presented medals to the winners.