DHAKA, Jan 8, 2023 (BSS)- On the initiative of the Bangladesh Athletics Federation (BAF), Sheikh Kamal Inter:school and Madrasa Athletics competition will begin on January 14 in the name of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal, the founder of modern sports and the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, took the initiative to organize this competition with the aim of finding talented athletes from the grassroots level across the country after taking charge as the president of the federation in November last year.

Basically, after the independence of the country in 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the BAF in 1972 with the aim of keeping the youth drug-free and making their health conscious citizens.

At this time, large-scale athletics competitions were organized to find talented athletes from the grassroots level. Through these athletics, Bangladesh got the opportunity to raise the flag high for the first time in the world stage. However, the activities of the federation started to shrink gradually.

The grassroots-level athletics competition in the country was held in 1974. After that, the federation could not organize any big tournament in the country due to various adversities including a lack of suitable organizers and a financial crisis.

But, the federation's president Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah has taken new initiatives to implement Bangabandhu's dream after assuming the responsibility of the president. The first step of which is Sheikh Kamal Inter: School and Madrasah Athletics competition.

BAF's general secretary, Advocate Abdur Rakib Montu today (Sunday) told BSS that: "The new president has taken several options to fulfil Bangabandhu's dream. According to him (the president), participation is the big thing. The human body and mind are formed through athletics.
 
There is no alternative to athletics to steer the youth in the right direction. Junior athletics will be also be organized after the completion of Sheikh Kamal inter-school and Madrasa athletics competition. Talented athletes, emerging from these competitions, will be brought under long-term training and scholarship will also be provided to them."

The BAF's new president Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah has emphasized taking several steps to bring professionalism among the athletes. In order to provide financial security, he has set the goal of providing jobs to accomplished athletes in various organizations. This top official of the federation is communicating with various services and corporate and educational institutions on his own initiative to implement the goal, Montu added.
As per the initial schedule of Sheikh Kamal Inter-School and Madrasah Athletics competition, Union and upazila phase competitions will be held from January 14-28. Apart from this, the district phase competition will be held from February 1-5 and the divisional phase competition from February 9-13. The schedule of the national phase competition will be decided later stage.

In this competition, thirty-two events will be held in four groups based on categories. The students of 6th to 8th standard will be divided into 'A' and 'B' groups and will participate in 100m and 200m races, high jump and long jump. Students of class 9th and 10th grade will be divided into 'C' and 'D' groups and compete in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m races, high jump, long jump, triple jump, javelin, shot put, discus throw and 4x100m relay.