National Athletes to Receive Monthly Salaries for the First Time

The government has launched a landmark sports allowance program to establish athletics as a sustainable profession and livelihood. For the first time in the country's history, national athletes have been brought under a formal salary structure.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the program at his office in Tejgaon on Monday morning.

In the initial phase, 129 athletes received sports cards, along with honors and incentives. The government plans to expand this benefit to 500 athletes through a phased rollout.

To ensure high standards, the recipients' performance will be evaluated every four months. Athletes who maintain their form will continue to receive the allowance, while those failing to meet performance benchmarks will be removed from the list.

While all selected athletes will receive an equal salary, the specific amount has not yet been disclosed. The Prime Minister is expected to announce the final figures shortly.