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A week-long sports programme marking the 72nd founding anniversary of the National Press Club began on Saturday with a table tennis competition inaugurated by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque.
The opening ceremony was presided over by National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz. General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan, members of the club’s managing committee, Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Chief Editor and Managing Director Kader Gani Chowdhury also spoke at the event.
Sports Subcommittee Convener Shahnaz Begum Poly delivered the welcome address. Managing Committee member Mohammad Momin Hossain and other club members were present.
Speaking at the programme, Aminul Haque said the government wanted to usher in a new chapter in the country’s sports sector under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
He said sports would be introduced as a new subject in the Class Four curriculum from 2027, with the initiative gradually extended to other classes in subsequent years.
Ten events under the Notun Kuri Sports programme would be taught in schools, he said, adding that plans were being made to appoint 10 sports teachers at each school.
A total of 64 competitors took part in the table tennis competition on the opening day. Anwar Hossain of NCC Bank became champion, while Mahbub Reza of Ekattor TV finished runner-up. Shamim Hasan of Protidiner Bangladesh secured third place.
The table tennis doubles competition will be held at 11am on Sunday, October 11, at the club’s Abdus Salam Hall.