The government has given the appointment under provision of section-5 of the NSC (Amended) Act 1974, said a press release issued by the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Sports Adviser Tapan Chowdhury, who held the posts as ex-officio, said the change was necessary.

"So far, the same man used to be in charge of the sports ministry and the NSC. It is contradictory and a wrong," Tapan opined yesterday while attending a reception at the NSC conference room to observe the World Sports Journalists Day.

Former President Hossain Mohammad Ershad was the first army person to become the NSC chairman in 1976, followed by other colleagues.

Since 1991, the sports ministers came to the scene before the latest circular.