Children with special needs are not burden: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that children with special needs or adults who are physically challenged are not a burden on society, but rather "we should be proud of them".

"The physically disabled are one of us," she said at the prize-giving ceremony for the Bangabandhu 4-Nation Physically Challenged Cricket Tournament 2022 in Cox's Bazar's Sheikh Kamal Cricket Stadium today.

She joined the programme virtually from her Gono Bhaban residence.

People with special needs are a part of society and should not be isolated, said the premier.

"They are our children, and we must provide them with all sorts of cooperation," she also said.

Bangladesh defeated India by nine wickets in the final match.

The prime minister announced a Tk 5 lakh prize for each player in the winning Bangladesh squad.

She also announced the establishment of a Tk 10-crore fund for physically challenged people and children with special needs to participate in sports.

On behalf of the PM, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel distributed prizes among the champion and runners up  teams.