We want to build a drug-free society through sports: Youth and Sports Deputy Minister

He said these things in the speech as the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of the final match of Jhenaidah District Parishad Gold Cup Football Tournament-2026 at Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman Stadium in Jhenaidah on Saturday (August 8) afternoon.

Aminul Haque said, ‘We want to build a healthy nation and a drug-free society through sports. We want to bring back our morals and social values through this sport.’ He called upon everyone to work unitedly irrespective of party and opinion to implement this goal.

Highlighting the plan to create players from the grassroots, the deputy minister said work is underway to establish sports as a profession and explore the talents of adolescents. Activities have also been initiated to create one playground in each of the country's 4,599 unions.

At the event, he announced development of sports infrastructure in Jhenaidah. He said initiatives have been taken to construct sports villages in 10 districts of the country in the current fiscal year, one of which will be in Jhenaidah. Besides, the existing stadium of the district will be transformed into a modern stadium with full galleries.

Regarding the demand for construction of a swimming pool in Jhenaidah, he said swimming pools currently exist in 22 districts. There is a plan to construct one swimming pool in each of the 64 districts in phases, and under that, a swimming pool will also be built in Jhenaidah.

Aminul Haque further said that according to the government's election manifesto, there is a plan to construct sports villages with international-standard indoor stadiums in 64 districts. In the first phase, 10 sports villages will be constructed in the current fiscal year.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, Prime Minister's Political Assistant Md. Rashed Khan and Jhenaidah District BNP General Secretary Md. Zahiduzzaman Mona spoke at the event. The function was presided over by Jhenaidah District Parishad Administrator and District BNP President Md. Abdul Majid.