He said that the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been successfully broadcast this time without spending a single taka of government revenue.
Football
Government aims for profit in next World Cup: Information Minister
He made this remark at the 'FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcast and Appreciation' event at the conference room of the Department of Information today.
At the event, on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Deputy Minister Md. Aminul Haque handed over formal floral greetings and a letter of thanks to Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan and Deputy Minister Yasser Khan Chowdhury.
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At that time, among others, the Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md. Shah Alam and Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed were present.
The Information Minister said that due to the proper guidance, honesty and far-sighted thinking of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, it has been possible to broadcast this World Cup without depriving a large number of sports-loving people of the country and without spending government revenue.
At this time, Zahir Uddin Swapan further said that the Prime Minister had instructed that even within the government's austerity policy, football-loving people should not be deprived of watching the matches.
He said that this great success came by creating an alternative structure according to the Prime Minister's instructions. Therefore, the credit goes to the Prime Minister.
The Information Minister expressed special thanks and gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for successfully completing this broadcast program. At the same time, he expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, the Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting, the Prime Minister's Advisor on Information and Broadcasting, the Director General of BTV, and the Bangladesh Football Federation, as well as all concerned.
Regarding the current positive environment in the country's sports arena, Zahir Uddin Swapan said that in the past few months, under the leadership of the former star player and current Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, an unprecedented enthusiasm has been created in the sports arena.
He said that if the youth can be engaged in healthy entertainment and sports, on the one hand, a drug-free society and a healthy mindset can be formed, and on the other hand, a skilled workforce will be created for the future.
The Information Minister further said that the current government is working with the aim of developing sports not just as entertainment but as a respectable profession.
Highlighting future broadcast plans, Zahir Uddin Swapan said, 'This time we have won the challenge of broadcasting matches at zero cost. In the next World Cup, our goal will not be limited to just showing matches for free.'
He said, the government's goal is to earn substantial money from the huge advertising market and turn it into a profitable event.