Photo : BSS

SIRAJGANJ, Nov 28, 2025 (BSS) - BNP standing committee member and former minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has urged using sports as a tool to protect the young generation from drugs. 

He made the call while addressing the inauguration of the Late Arafat Koko Memorial Cricket Tournament at Mahmudpur in Sirajganj Municipality this afternoon as the chief guest.

He warned that drug abuse is increasingly threatening the youth, undermining their talents and contributing to social decay.

Tuku said that sports play an important role in building a drug-free society. 

He emphasized that organizing various sports events can help protect the new generation from falling into the grip of drugs.

He also remembered Arafat Rahman Koko, the youngest son of the Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, as a dedicated sports organizer who made notable contributions to cricket development in the country.

BNP national executive committee member and Sirajganj district BNP General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bacchu spoke as the special guest there.

The event was presided over by Sirajganj district BNP Advisory Council member Omar Ali and conducted by district BNP Sports Secretary Hedayetul Islam.

District BNP Vice President Jahangir Hossain Bhuiyan Selim, Senior Joint General Secretary VP Shamim Khan, Organizing Secretaries Md. Abu Sayeed Sweet and Alamgir Alam and Joint General Secretaries Munsi Zahid Alam and Sabbir Hossain Bhuiyan Safi, were present, among others.