PM Tarique Rahman Announces 1 Lakh Taka Monthly Allowance for Athletes
During the ceremony held at the Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Premier emphasized that sports should no longer be seen merely as a hobby but as a dignified and viable career path. To mark the occasion, the Prime Minister used a digital system to instantly transfer the first monthly allowance of 1,00,000 BDT to the bank accounts of the first batch of recipients.
The "National Athlete Pay Structure" The government has introduced this initiative under the theme "Krira Hole Pesha, Paribar Pabe Bharosha" (When sports become a profession, families gain security).
Initial Beneficiaries: 129 athletes who have achieved international success across 20 disciplines—including the SAFF Futsal-winning women's team, kabaddi, and volleyball—received the allowance and honorarium totaling 2.44 crore BDT during the event.Rapid Expansion: State Minister for Youth and Sports, Md. Aminul Haque, confirmed that a total of 500 athletes will be brought under this salary structure within the next seven days.Scope: While the program covers various Olympic and national sports, cricketers are currently excluded as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is financially self-reliant.
Vision for the Future: "Notun Kuri Sports" and "Sports Villages" The Prime Minister outlined a comprehensive roadmap to transform Bangladesh into a sporting powerhouse by the year 2027:
Talent Hunt: The "Notun Kuri Sports" program will officially launch on April 30, 2026, aiming to identify and groom grassroots talent from across the country, starting in Sylhet.
Educational Reform: Starting in 2027, sports will be made a mandatory part of the national curriculum from the fourth grade.
Infrastructure: The government plans to build international-standard "Sports Villages" in every district. Additionally, the seven BKSP (Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan) regional branches are being upgraded to full capacity to provide professional training and education.
A New Social Contract Reiterating the pledge "Korbo Kaaj, Gorbo Desh, Shobar Age Bangladesh" (We will work, we will build the country, Bangladesh first), Prime Minister Rahman stated that this professional recognition would keep the younger generation away from drug addiction and digital distractions. By providing financial security, the government aims to ensure that talented individuals can focus entirely on bringing international glory to the nation without the burden of financial instability.
