Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Launches 'Notun Kuri Sports' in Sylhet

The Sylhet District Stadium came alive today as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officially inaugurated "Notun Kuri Sports," a massive nationwide talent hunt for young athletes.

Breaking the tradition of hosting major events in the capital, the Prime Minister specifically instructed that the launch take place outside Dhaka. "Don't keep everything in Dhaka," the PM reportedly told the Ministry. "I want this to start from the grassroots."

The initiative draws inspiration from the iconic 1976 BTV show Notun Kuri, which discovered legendary cultural talents. This time, the "new buds" are being sought in the sports arena. The government aims to fulfill its election pledge of establishing sports as a sustainable profession in Bangladesh.

The competition targets children aged 12 to 14 across eight disciplines: football, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, athletics, swimming, martial arts, and chess.

The games begin at the upazila level, progressing through district and divisional rounds, and culminating in the national finals.

Despite a short registration window, 167,693 contestants have signed up, including over 46,000 girls.

Bangladesh has been divided into 10 administrative regions—Dhaka, Faridpur, Chittagong, Comilla, Rangpur, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Mymensingh.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque emphasized that sports are now a top national priority. The government has already introduced "Sports Cards" and monthly allowances to provide financial security to the nation’s best players.

Thirty-two national stars from cricket, football, and kabaddi traveled from Dhaka to Sylhet to serve as 'Brand Ambassadors' for the event, encouraging the next generation of stars. Regional stages are set to take place between May 13 and May 22, under the strict supervision of administrative committees to ensure fair selection.