Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that her government will take all necessary measures for the development of sports and games. She said, `I wish our games and sports achieve more excellence and for achieving more superiority I on behalf of my government will do everything’.
She was speaking as the chief guest in the closing function on Saturday(April27) of ‘Bangabandhu Inter-University sports championship’ held at Bangabandhu National stadium.
Narrating her family involvement with games and sports she said, `My grand father and my father used to play football. My brother Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Zamal were freedom fighters. Sheikh Kamal’s wife Sultana Kamal was the Dhaka University ‘Blue’ for her excellence in sports. Sheikh Zamal’s wife was also involved in sports. Practically our family was always involved in games and sports. Sheikh Kamal took all measures to form Abahani Krira Chakra for building modern football', she mentioned.
It is to be mentioned here that the students reading in Dhaka University were awarded ‘Blue’ title for achieving excellence in sports and games.
Sheikh Hasina further said that,`The physical health of the new generation will be sound and disease free if they carry on sports and games regularly. Their mental health will develop and their merit will expand'.
Remembering the period of the Father of the Nation she said that, `Bangabandhu got only 3.5 years to administer the war ravaged country but progressing towards prosperity then he was killed mercilessly along with his whole family. As myself and my younger sister Sheikh Rehana were in abroad we escaped. But this escaping the death was very tough and painful. However we took vow that whenever we will get opportunity we will change the lot of the people.'
Mentioning the various measures taken by her government Sheikh Hasina said that, `Practically we took various measures from 1996-2001 for the development of sports and games but remained incomplete and completed that after coming to power for the second time. During last ten years we have taken several measures in games and sports, education, culture to help build our youths, children to achieve excellence in all fields,' she said.
Addressing the participants she said that, `Those who lost, don’t get disheartened today you will lose but tomorrow you will win. Because Father of the Nation had the mentality not to get defeated for good, this was his aim. For the reason we won the great victory in the liberation war in 1971'.
She announced that in future Inter College competition will be held. She called upon the youths to be united against militancy and drug menace. Earlier she handed over the prizes among the champion and runner up teams.