BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has demanded general election by December 2025 and said, "People want to form their government by exercising their right to vote and bring back democracy in the country."
Speaking as the chief guest at the award ceremony of the Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Cricket Tournament 2025, held at a five-star hotel in West London on May 18 (Sunday) he said, "Many of our leaders and activists have sacrificed their lives, some have been tortured or gone missing to reestablish democracy in the country."
He called it the people's political right and said, "BNP aims to form a government that will work for the welfare of the people."
Calling for unity, he said, "We may have different opinions, which is normal in democracy, but we must all work together to move the country forward, ensure people's safety, and create jobs."
Tarique said, "BNP government will take full responsibility for athletes who represent Bangladesh abroad."
Tarique Rahman stressed that improving sports in the country is a top priority. He said more BKSP centers will be opened in the future to train more athletes.
BNP plans to develop ward-wise playgrounds for all in the capital city of Dhaka if the party comes to power through people's mandate in the next general election, said Tarique.
He said, "The playground will be developed on three to four bighas of land at least between two wards that children play, elderly people walk and people inhale, we have such a thought."
Recalling Koko's memories, Tarique said his younger brother had tried his best to contribute to the country's sports arena.
He said the four divisional BKSP offices will be made fully operational to identify and nurture young sporting talents from different parts of the country.
Highlighting the importance of sports in life, he said his party would prioritise sports along education in the primary and secondary levels of the country.
Lamenting the lack of playgrounds in Dhaka, he said there is no alternative to the sports for excellence in education.
Tarique said changes may be made to the school curriculum to include sports and a second or third language.
These subjects will carry marks in exams, so students will be encouraged to play sports.
The event was organized by Shafraz Ahmed Sharfur from the Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Trust and was chaired by Abu Naser Sheikh.
Other speakers included BNP's Dhaka Metropolitan North member secretary Aminul Haque, central organizing secretary and former state minister for land Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, BNP acting chairman's foreign affairs advisor Humayun Kabir, Bogura district BNP vice-president Mir Shahe Alam, former Bogura MP Mosharraf Hossain, and executive committee co-secretary Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukder.
The event was supported by organizers Fazle Rahman (Pinak), Sheikh Sadek, Dalia Binte Lakuria, Ariful Islam Ujjal, Shakil Chowdhury, Abdus Samad Raj, Fahidul Alam (Farhad), Anjana Alam, Monowar Hossain, Alam Shimu, Shafiul Alam Murad, Kamruzzaman Chowdhury Pound, Tuhin Molla, and others.
