Natun Kuri Sports to kick off in Sylhet on Apr 30, announces Tarique

A new chapter in Bangladesh’s sporting ambitions is set to begin from Sylhet on April 30, as the government rolls out “Natun Kuri Sports” – a nationwide talent hunt aimed at discovering and shaping the country’s future stars.

Announcing the launch at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman framed the initiative as more than just a competition. “We want to give sports a professional shape,” he said, linking the programme to a broader vision of turning athletic talent into viable careers.

The announcement came during the inauguration of a sports allowance programme at Shapla Hall, where athletes also received “Sports Cards” and recognition for international achievements. 

This year’s theme – “Sports will become a profession, family will gain confidence” – signals a shift in how sports are positioned in society: not just as passion, but as a pathway.

A grassroots search with national ambition

At its core, Natun Kuri Sports is a grassroots talent hunt. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the programme will target young athletes aged 12 to 24, casting a wide net across schools, colleges, and local communities.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has already mobilised its field offices, urging them to identify promising talent and turn educational institutions into hubs of competition and training.

Football fields, school grounds, and college playgrounds are expected to come alive as selection rounds begin, creating a pipeline from local fields to the national arena.

The sports list is diverse: football, cricket, athletics, badminton, kabaddi, chess, and martial arts — a mix designed to ensure that talent is not limited by discipline or geography.

Beyond discovery: Building athletes

What sets Natun Kuri Sports apart is its focus beyond identification.

Selected participants will not simply be shortlisted; they will be trained. Coaching programmes are planned to refine raw talent and prepare athletes for national and international competition.

Officials say the goal is long-term: to create a structured system where promising players are guided, supported, and eventually elevated to elite levels.

A revival with a new purpose

The name “Natun Kuri” carries nostalgia, echoing an earlier cultural initiative taken by the late president Ziaur Rahman that once nurtured young talent in arts and literature. This time, the focus shifts to stadiums and playing fields.

For Tarique Rahman, the idea is both symbolic and strategic. He has repeatedly emphasised that Bangladesh must invest in youth talent to compete globally.

“We have plans to bring more honour through international sporting events and produce quality players,” he said, calling for collective effort beyond political lines.

Changing the mindset

Perhaps the most significant shift lies in perception.

For years, many families in Bangladesh have seen sports as uncertain, often discouraging young talent from pursuing them seriously. By linking the programme with allowances, recognition, and structured development, the government hopes to change that mindset.

The message is clear: sports can be a profession, and success on the field can translate into stability off it.

The road ahead

With Sylhet set to host the opening phase, Natun Kuri Sports will gradually expand across districts, upazilas, and unions, building what officials describe as a nationwide sporting ecosystem.

If implemented effectively, it could reshape how talent is discovered in Bangladesh — moving from chance and personal initiatives to a coordinated, state-backed system.

For now, all eyes turn to Sylhet on April 30.

Because somewhere on those fields, Bangladesh may be taking its first steps toward its next generation of champions.