DHAKA, May 26, 2025 (BSS)- Country's youngest international master Monon Reza 
Neer said the "Festival of Youth" has able to create a massive impact on the 
country's sports arena as many young athletes have inspired to participate in 
sports after the mega event. 

The "Festival of Youth" organised nationwide in the country in the beginning 
of this year under the initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The 
present government took this initiative to encourage the young athletes more 
in sports.

Monon Reza Neer, the youngest international chess master in Bangladesh's 
history, believes that the festival of sports has created a big impact on the 
country's sports arena.

He said that young players from all over the country enjoyed the festival of 
youth and new players would come out from this event.

With the slogan of "Let's change the country, change the World", the Youth 
and Sports Ministry organised a nationwide youth festival programme which 
started on December 30 last year with the participation of large numbers of 
young athletes, who took part in various local sports events.

Neer sees the government's initiative of organising "Festival of Youth" a 
positive initiative for sports.

Talking to BSS, Neer said many events were included during the Festival of 
Youth and he hoped that through this event many new players would come out in 
the future.

"This festival of youth has inspired the youth of the entire country. 
Everyone enjoyed it. I also liked this event very much," Neer said while 
replying to a question.

The 14-year old talented chess player believes that the Festival of Youth 
should be need continuation every year to get its reward because if this 
event is organised regularly, especially at the school level, many players 
would come out in the future.

Neer, a 10th grade student, said, "Of course, the "Festival of Youth" should 
be organised every year. The event should also be introduced in the school 
level because if we take chess as an example, there are no such chess players 
in Bangladesh but if such a festival is organised regularly, many players 
will come out from the school level."

He said it would prove more beneficial for all sports, if the "Festival of 
Youth" can be organised every six months.
On October 4 last year, Neer was recognized as the country's fifth 
international chess master in Budapest, Hungary by setting a precedent as the 
youngest international master in the history of chess in Bangladesh

Earlier, Niaz Morshed became an International Master in 1981 at the age of 15 
years and five months. Neer broke Niaz's record by becoming an International 
Master at the age of 14 years and four months.

Neer said his main goal is now to become a Grandmaster (GM) but financial 
support is very important to implement his dream.

"Now my main goal is to become a GM but to implement my dream financial 
support is needed because I have to go abroad often to participate in 
different tournaments but playing abroad is much more expensive which is not 
always possible for me to carry the huge expense. So, if I get permanent 
sponsorship, it'll be easier for me to achieve my goal," said the country's 
youngest International Master.

The talented chess player Neer started playing chess at the age of only six 
years. He first became attracted towards chess after watching his father's 
play on a laptop.

Neer said: "I first saw a chess game on a laptop ... My father used to play 
chess on a laptop. It was then that my father inspired me to play a game of 
chess. From there, my interest grew towards the chess."
 
Neer, who was named the best player of the Year by the Bangladesh Sports 
Press Association (BSPA), last month, said he felt honored to receive the 
trophy as the best Player of the Year.

"I am delighted to be the best chess player of the year at the BSPA Awards. I 
met many great players during the award ceremony and enjoyed the colorful 
programme," he said.

Neer said he considers Norwegian chess grandmaster and world chess champion 
Magnus Carlsen as his chess idol.