Kamrul Hasan: Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had established the “Notun Kuri” program to encourage talented athletes and to develop sports on the international stage. Following his legacy, BNP’s Acting Chairman and national leader, Tarique Rahman, has introduced a 31-point plan for comprehensive national development and institutional reform. If implemented, these initiatives will help establish Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation globally. Commenting on this, Afroza Khanam Rita, member of the BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council and convener of Manikganj District BNP, said, “Let sports be a bridge of harmony for the nation.”

She made the remarks while delivering her speech as the chief guest at the Munna Memorial Football Tournament final, held on Friday afternoon at Barahirchar Field in Manikganj Sadar Upazila. Addressing party workers, supporters, voters, locals, and football enthusiasts, she emphasized the unifying role of sports.

The event, chaired by Tournament Celebration Committee President Mohammad Halim Bepari, was attended by senior BNP leaders including Advocate Azad Hossain Khan, Advocate A.F.M. Nurtaj Alam Bahar PP, Satyen Kanta Pandit Bhajan, Golam Kibria Saeed, Nasir Uddin Ahmed Jadu, Abdus Salam Badal, Rafiqul Bhuiyan Habu, Asaduzzaman Khan Dolon, Advocate Arif Hossain Liton, Riaz Mahmud Harez, Fazlul Haque, Nurul Islam, Tuhinur Rahman Tuhin, Md. Masud Parvez, Abdul Khalek Shuvo, Sirajur Rahman Khan Sajib, and other leaders from BNP and its affiliated organizations.

She highlighted that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has set a shining example in safeguarding independence, constitution, democracy, and resolving national crises. Thanks to his foresight, the authoritarian ruler was compelled to leave the country on August 5, paving the way for a fascist-free Bangladesh. She urged all to unite under the BNP flag and ensure victory for the emblem of independence and development—the “Dhanner Shish”—to firmly establish Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation.

Afroza Khanam Rita also announced that if BNP forms the government in the future, the “Notun Kuri” program initiated by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman will be revived to recognize talented athletes. She called upon party workers to strengthen organizational structures, overcome divisions, ensure the victory of the Dhanner Shish, and prayed for the recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as well as the good health and long life of national leader Tarique Rahman.

In the tournament final, Joypurhat Football Team defeated Narayanganj to claim the trophy, and winners were awarded prizes after the match. Earlier, she had also provided financial assistance from her personal fund to 31 Puja Mandap committees in Manikganj municipality.