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Urging the private sector to sponsor the development of sports and culture in the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that development of sports and culture is not possible without sponsorship.

He said this while addressing the chief guest at the Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council (NSC) Award-2023 distribution ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Saturday morning. Khabar bus

The Prime Minister said, “I believe that for the development of sports and culture in the country, government sponsorship as well as private sponsorship is required. It cannot develop without patronage.’

Regarding his government’s opening up of the private sector, he further said, ‘I will say that we have done a lot of business, banking and insurance here. The private sector has become much stronger. They (players) will be able to promote their organization name everywhere. Even in that case, you (businessmen/entrepreneurs) need this cooperation.

Sheikh Hasina said, “If the girls of Bangladesh can conquer that Everest or if the players can set such a bright example in the field of sports even with such a short opportunity, then sponsorship is needed to increase this reputation.”

Expressing hope that our sportspersons will bring more fame to the country if they get proper sponsorship, he said, ‘Those who have different industries – you can also give a job to an athlete or you can have a sports organization. Various talents are spread all over Bangladesh. You pick up those talents and give them a chance. You will see that they will bring the most reputation for Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the father of the nation had established a sports foundation for sportsmen, which his government later established as ‘Bangabandhu Krirasevi Kalyan Foundation’ with Sidmani. Scholarships are being given to about 500 people from there.

The Prime Minister also urged the rich of the society to avoid sponsoring players and donating to welfare foundations.

He said, ‘I will also tell those who are wealthy to donate to this foundation for the welfare of sportsmen. Because, I know you have many old players who get sick and have no chance of treatment. Many also fall into financial crisis. Because sports cannot be done till old age. But what will be their next life, that is also a big thing.’

The Prime Minister said, ‘I am giving as long as I have. Building flats or giving land to those who don’t have a house, providing sports equipment or medical treatment or bringing them from abroad after treatment – we are doing everything.’

The Prime Minister said, ‘I will not be there forever, and maybe no one else will do this with sincerity. Therefore, so that their future is secure and they can continue to do good things in the future, I will call upon those of us who are rich today to take a little initiative or different organizations should also take a little initiative.

He said that the sons and daughters of many poor families are winning gold for the country in various fields. Especially the disabled are winning gold in the Special Olympics. They are bringing honor to the country so that they can participate in these competitions, he has his support.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports organized this event on the occasion of the 74th birth anniversary of martyr Captain Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina awarded ‘Sheikh Kamal Jatiya Krira Parishad Award-2023’ to 10 sports personalities and two organizations in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the field of sports.