Tk 2bn fund for athletes, performance reviews every 4 months

He said the initiatives were aimed at encouraging athletes to compete with patriotism and confidence while ensuring greater professionalism in sports.

The state minister also addressed Bangladesh's decision not to participate in the T20 World Cup, saying it had previously been explained as a decision taken for personal reasons. He said the government would remain vigilant to ensure that such decisions are not repeated in the future.

As part of its athlete-support programme, the government has so far issued sports cards to 300 athletes and brought them under a monthly allowance scheme. The government plans to eventually provide sports cards to 500 athletes.

However, the target has not yet been reached, and qualified athletes who demonstrate strong performance will be added to the programme, Aminul Haque said.

A further 95 athletes are expected to be brought under the scheme soon. Meanwhile, 31 athletes have already been removed from the allowance programme.

The list of beneficiaries will be reviewed every four months based on performance. Athletes who fail to meet the required performance standards may be dropped, while new athletes will be added based on their results.

The state minister said the government had allocated Tk 200 crore separately for sports cards and allowances, with the funds to be used to provide athletes with necessary support and facilities.

The government is also focusing on better preparation for future international competitions. Aminul said the long-term goal was to prepare Bangladesh's athletes to compete for Olympic medals within the next five years.