PM inaugurates second season of nationwide Notun Kuri Sports

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (5 November) inaugurated the second season of the nationwide Notun Kuri Sports-2026-27 competition, aimed at identifying young sporting talent and encouraging children and adolescents to take part in sports.

The inaugural ceremony was held at Khulna District Stadium, while the prime minister virtually launched the programme simultaneously in 503 upazilas across the country.

Tarique entered the stadium around 3:45pm, where State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque and acting Secretary Mahfuzul Alam Khan welcomed him.

He formally inaugurated the programme by releasing balloons and pigeons. He also hoisted the national flag and greeted young athletes participating in the competition.

According to information presented at the event, a total of 1,623,218 participants have registered online for the second season.

Students and young athletes in the galleries greeted the prime minister as he entered the stadium. He waved back, drawing cheers from the children and adolescents.

Organised under the theme “Make sports a profession, give families confidence”, the competition aims to identify sporting talent among children and adolescents nationwide and create opportunities for their development from the grassroots level.

Volleyball and table tennis have been added to the eight disciplines featured in the first season, bringing the total to 10. Children aged between 10 and 14 are eligible to participate.

The Department of Sports is implementing the initiative under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in line with a commitment in the BNP’s election manifesto.
Inspired by 1980s talent hunt

The initiative draws inspiration from the popular Notun Kuri talent-hunting programme of the 1980s and seeks to revive its spirit by discovering young talent in sports.

The first season of Notun Kuri Sports was inaugurated in Sylhet on 2 May last year to help children and adolescents develop their potential, foster interest in sports and encourage wider participation in sporting activities.