Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain today said the government aims to engage young people in sports for character building. He stressed that sports are essential for both physical development and character formation among the youth. Hossain made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the closing and prize-giving ceremony of the 10th Cadet, Junior, Under-21 and Senior South Asian Karate Championship-2026 and the 2nd Under-14 Karate Cup held at Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur.
Sports for Character and Friendship
Hossain highlighted that karate is not only a sport but also a means of strengthening friendship among nations. He expressed hope that such ties would transcend geographical boundaries. The minister later distributed trophies, medals, and prizes among the winners of the championship.
International Participation and Collaboration
The three-day international competition, held from July 17 to 19, featured participants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Around 900 emerging athletes from across South Asia competed in various events. The presence of Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Amena Begum, South Asian Karate Federation President Bharat Sharma, Bangladesh Karate Federation President Shahzada Alam, foreign delegations, and sports enthusiasts underscored the importance of the event.
