A discussion meeting was held with the heads of schools, colleges, and madrasas, along with physical education teachers from all educational institutions in the Bogura-2 (Shibganj-Mokamtola) constituency, ahead of the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup National Football Tournament 2026.

The meeting took place on Saturday (August 1) at 11:00 a.m. at the Shibganj উপজেলা Auditorium, where State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam MP attended as the chief guest.

In his address, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said that Prime Minister Tarek Rahman believes there is no alternative to sports in building a healthy, talented, and patriotic generation. Under his leadership, the government considers sports an integral part of national development.

He said that the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup is not merely a football tournament but a national initiative to identify talented footballers from the grassroots level. The competition aims to provide students from both urban and rural educational institutions with equal opportunities to develop their sporting talents.

Mir Shahe Alam further said that, following the Prime Minister’s directives, the government is working continuously to create a sports-friendly environment in every upazila, preserve playgrounds, expand sporting activities to keep young people away from drugs and crime, and develop athletes capable of competing at the international level.

He called on educational institutions, teachers, parents, and all stakeholders to extend their full cooperation in making the upcoming Prime Minister’s Gold Cup National Football Tournament a success. On the occasion, the State Minister distributed one football to each educational institution.

The meeting was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ziaur Rahman. Among others, speakers included SM Tajul Islam, Acting President of Shibganj Upazila BNP; Advocate Abdul Ohab, General Secretary of the Upazila BNP; Shahinuzzaman Shahin, Officer-in-Charge of Shibganj Police Station; Professor Nazrul Islam, Convener of the State Minister’s Education Advisory Committee; Tarikul Alam, Upazila Secondary Education Officer; Mir Shakrul Alam Simanto, Student Affairs Secretary of the Upazila BNP; Abdul Karim, General Secretary of the Municipal BNP; and Khalid Hasan Arman, President of the Upazila Jubo Dal, along with representatives from local political, administrative, and educational institutions.

The event was moderated by Headmaster Harunur Rashid and Headmaster Tajul Islam, members of the State Minister’s Education Advisory Committee.