The World Will One Day Take Bangladesh as an Example: Tarique Rahman

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that a strong and prosperous Bangladesh will be built by developing the talents, skills and creativity of children and teenagers.

He said children must gain skills in sports, arts, culture and foreign languages alongside their studies. “You have to build this Bangladesh. You have to make this country strong in the world. Each of you is an ambassador of Bangladesh and an owner of this country,” he said.

The Prime Minister made these remarks as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the second season of Notun Kuri Sports 2026–27 at Khulna District Stadium on Thursday afternoon (November 5).

Stressing the importance of developing children’s talents in different fields, Tarique Rahman said studying alone was not enough. Every child should also learn sports, arts and culture.

He said education alone could not help a nation succeed in the world. To move forward, children must gain skills in knowledge, sports, arts and culture.

Some children may become doctors, engineers, architects or lawyers in the future. However, they should also learn about sports, art and culture, he added.

Students of the Bangladesh Institute of Sports Education (BKSP) showed their skills in different fields through sports, dance, music and other cultural performances at the event. The Prime Minister said children across the country should also come forward to develop their talents in different areas.

Encouraging the children, he said, “You can do it. You can study, take part in sports and develop your skills in arts and culture.”

Mentioning that more than 1.6 million children and teenagers have already joined the second season of Notun Kuri Sports, the Prime Minister said the final round would be held next June.

Children from more than 500 upazilas, municipalities, districts and different units across the country are taking part in the competition online.

He said the participation of 1.6 million children proved that there was no shortage of talent among the country’s young generation. It was now the government’s responsibility to create the necessary opportunities and environment for them.

The Prime Minister said the government wanted to create an environment where children could study, play sports and take part in cultural activities without difficulty. Necessary facilities would be developed gradually to achieve this goal.

He also spoke about a plan to give children the opportunity to learn a third foreign language. Alongside Bangla and English, each child would be able to choose one language from six or seven other foreign languages.

“If you do well in your studies, become skilled in sports and arts and culture, and learn a third foreign language, no nation in the world will be able to stop you,” he said.

He expressed hope that Bangladesh would one day become a strong and prosperous country that the world would look up to as an example.

“Then we will not have to give examples of other countries. Instead, people around the world will give Bangladesh as an example. This country belongs to you. You have to build it. Each of you must become an ambassador of Bangladesh,” he said.

Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at Khulna District Stadium at 3:45 pm. He walked around the field, greeted the children and young athletes in the gallery and exchanged greetings with them.

The students cheered as they saw the Prime Minister up close, creating a lively atmosphere at the stadium.

He later officially opened the second season of Notun Kuri Sports by releasing balloons and pigeons. At the same time, he launched the competition online in 503 upazilas across the country.

Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque and National Parliament Whip and Khulna-3 MP Rakibul Islam Bakul were present with him.

The Prime Minister enjoyed various performances by BKSP students. He also watched traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances performed by Chinese students.

Earlier in the day, while travelling from Bagerhat to Khulna, he visited the shrine of Pir Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat.

He later addressed a roadside gathering at Katakhali intersection on the Khulna-Mongla Highway.

At 2:16 pm, the bus carrying the Prime Minister, named ‘Sobar Age Bangladesh’, reached the stage built at Tilak Kudir Tala in Rupsa upazila, the entrance to Khulna. He addressed the gathering there.

Before the leaders assigned to welcome him could reach him, the Prime Minister got out of his vehicle and mixed with ordinary people. Without following any formal protocol, he shook hands with people.

His gesture brought joy to party leaders, activists and members of the public.

Many people at the gathering were heard saying that this was the first time in the history of Bangladesh’s politics that a Prime Minister had gone among the people and shaken hands with them before taking the stage at a public meeting.