Syed Atik: A nationwide initiative to discover promising young athletes and strengthen Bangladesh's sporting landscape, titled 'Notun Kuri Sports Season-2', was inaugurated on Thursday under the slogan 'Sports as a Profession, Security for Families'.The inauguration ceremony was held at Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur, with local participants joining the national programme virtually from Khulna District Stadium (Shaheed Barkat Stadium), where the central event was organised.Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest.The initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Department of Sports, while Gazipur City Corporation coordinated the local arrangements.In Gazipur, the programme was attended by Gazipur Metropolitan BNP President and Gazipur City Corporation Administrator Md Shawkat Hossain Sarker.Among the special guests were Gazipur-2 MP M Manjurul Karim Rony, Gazipur District Council Administrator Dr Chowdhury Ishraq Ahmed Siddiqui, Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Israel Howlader and Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan.Government officials, elected representatives, sports organisers and people associated with the sporting community also attended the event.The second season of Notun Kuri Sports aims to identify talented children and adolescents from across the country, particularly those living in remote and underserved areas, and provide them with opportunities to develop their sporting abilities.The initiative also seeks to create a stronger foundation for young athletes to pursue sports as a future profession rather than treating them merely as a recreational activity.By expanding opportunities for participation and talent development at the grassroots level, the programme is expected to encourage greater involvement of children in sports and help build a new generation of athletes capable of representing Bangladesh at national and international competitions.Speaking at the local programme, Gazipur City Corporation Administrator Md Shawkat Hossain Sarker expressed hope that the initiative would inspire greater enthusiasm for sports among the younger generation.He said such programmes could open up new opportunities for emerging talents and make a meaningful contribution to producing skilled athletes for the country.The initiative is expected to play an important role in promoting a sporting culture, encouraging healthy lifestyles among children and strengthening the country's future sporting prospects.Beyond competition, its broader vision is to ensure that talented children, regardless of their geographical or economic background, have the opportunity to pursue their dreams in sports.