State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin -File photo

CHATTOGRAM, July 30, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Land and Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin today said the government is committed to identifying talented athletes from the grassroots and creating opportunities for them to excel at the national and international levels.

"Our objective is to identify talent from marginalized communities and provide opportunities for their development," he said while addressing a press conference at the July Smrity Hall of the Chattogram Press Club this afternoon ahead of the Prime Minister's Gold Cup Tournament.

The state minister said the country's sports sector would become stronger if talented athletes emerged from the union and upazila levels through a structured talent identification system.

He said sports can play an effective role in protecting young people from drug abuse and other social problems, adding that many countries offer scholarships to students based on their sporting achievements.

Mir Helal stressed the need to create more opportunities for talented Bangladeshi athletes to compete and excel on the international stage.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, MPs Ershad Ullah and Abu Sufian, Education Secretary Abdul Khalek and other distinguished guests were present at the press conference.