Notun Kuri Sports Set for April Launch; Institutions Given Urgent Directives

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has officially launched a grassroots talent hunt program titled ‘Notun Kuri Sports,’ aimed at identifying and nurturing young athletes across Bangladesh. Following this initiative, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued urgent directives to all educational institutions to ensure the program's successful implementation starting April 2026.

According to a notice signed by Professor Md. Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director (Physical Education) of DSHE, the program seeks to identify talented students aged 12 to 14 through nationwide school-based competitions. Selected participants will receive specialized athletic training to transform them into skilled players capable of representing the nation at both national and international levels. The program will feature competitions in football, cricket, chess, martial arts, badminton, athletics, and kabaddi.

The announcement follows a high-profile statement made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on March 26 during a special football match organized by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) at the National Stadium. The Prime Minister emphasized that ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ is modeled after the iconic ‘Notun Kuri’ cultural talent show to professionalize the country's sporting landscape. "As promised in our election manifesto, we want to create new athletes across various disciplines," he stated, adding that the government plans to extend these competitions down to the union level.

To facilitate the massive talent hunt, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has requested full cooperation from DSHE to ensure maximum student engagement. All secondary schools and colleges have been directed to make their playgrounds and physical infrastructure available for the upcoming trials and matches. This initiative is viewed as a cornerstone of the government's long-term strategy to decentralize sports development and discover hidden talent from the most remote parts of the country.