President asks effluent section to come forward for devet of sports
President Abdul Hamid on Sunday urged the affluent section of people, organisations, institutions and corporate houses to supplement the government efforts to develop sports in the country.
He made the call at a prize distribution ceremony after the final match of Jatir Janak Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman National Gold Cup Football tournament (Under 17) at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
"There was an intimate relationship between sports and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and with his family members. Football was the most favourite game of the Father of the Nation. He was also well-versed in hockey and volleyball," the President said.
After the Liberation War, Hamid said, the Father of the Nation had taken an initiative for the overall development of sports, and he himself supervised the activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports which was a manifestation of his deep interest in sports.
The President said the present government provides financial and technical support, including infrastructural facilities, for development and expansion of sports in the country. "I hope capable people, organisations, institutions, departments and corporate houses will come forward to organise various tournaments alongside the government ones. Then we'll be able to achieve more successes in national and international sports," he added.
Terming football a popular game, Hamid said, "Sports play a significant role in preventing intolerance, drug abuse and militancy through healthy competition alongside the educational, physical and mental development of adolescents."
The President also enjoyed a match between Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions during his stay at the stadium.
