Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said that the government is working toward establishing sports as a profession. With this objective in mind, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the sports allowance program for athletes.

He made these remarks on Friday, while addressing the opening ceremony of the two-day “Best of Best National Kickboxing Championship 2026” held in the capital.

The minister said that sports serve as a unique and powerful medium for children’s physical and mental development as well as the enhancement of their self-confidence. To encourage sports practices from the grassroots level, the government has undertaken an initiative to construct a playground in every union across the country.

He noted that through groundbreaking programs like Notun Kuri Sports, talented young athletes scattered across remote regions of the country are being identified and brought to the national stage, where they will bring glory and renown to Bangladesh on the global platform in the future.

During the event, the organisers demanded the inclusion of kickboxing in Notun Kuri Sports. The minister assured them of providing all necessary support in this regard.