Youth and Sports State Minister Md Aminul Haque called for broader sports participation to help children become healthy, values-driven citizens. Speaking on Saturday at an award ceremony for scholarship-winning students in Pallabi, Dhaka, he urged families and educational institutions to work together to reduce children’s excessive dependence on mobile phones and digital devices and encourage them to spend time on playing fields.

The event, organised by the Bangladesh Kindergarten Association, honoured students from Pallabi police station area for the 2025 academic year with certificates, cash awards and crests. Aminul Haque said parents should also participate in exercise and sports. He said giving children opportunities to play could produce future national-level athletes, while time on fields could keep them away from technology addiction and social harms such as drugs.

He said online registration for the “Notun Kuri Sports” programme began on July 1 for children aged 10 to 14. The government is taking steps to ensure playing fields in every union in phases. He also said sports will become compulsory from Class Four in the upcoming curriculum, including practical field assessments in football, cricket, swimming, martial arts and other activities.