Prepare to play in the World Cup

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged football players to prepare themselves in such a way that they could play in the World Cup in the days to come.

"The World Cup ended a few days back, but Bangladesh could not qualify for the tournament. I hope Bangladesh will play in the World Cup in future and you [footballers] will have to prepare yourselves for this," she said.

The PM said this while distributing trophies and prizes among runners-up and champions of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman National Gold Cup Football Tournament Boys U-17 and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib National Gold Cup Football Tournament Girls U-17.

The youth and sports ministry organised the programme at Bangladesh Army Stadium in the capital.

Referring to the participation of 1,10,552 boys and girls from upazila, district and national levels in the football tournaments, Hasina said, "It's a miracle. I think there is no country in the world where such a huge number of footballers take part in such tournaments."

Briefly describing her government's measures taken for the overall development of sports, she said, "Our target is to ensure sports for all."

Hasina said 40 boys and the same number of girls, who took part in the tournaments, would be given training for three months at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) and some of them would be sent abroad for training as they have the talent.

She added that they would establish BKSP in each division to ensure that sportspeople have the proper training.

The PM witnessed the second half of the girls' final football match between Rangpur and Khulna divisions.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP,  presided over the function. Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, among others, were present.