Sports Regain Momentum under Interim Government

Following a year of stewardship by the interim administration led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s sports sector has experienced a marked resurgence. From grassroots engagement to major infrastructural developments, the transformation has been both structural and cultural.

Strategic Reforms and Leadership

At the heart of this revival is Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, whose strategic vision has significantly reshaped the governance of sport in Bangladesh. Key interventions include:

• Crackdown on corruption within sports federations.
• Dissolution and restructuring of mismanaged bodies.
• Establishment of ad-hoc committees for more transparent governance.

The National Sports Council (NSC), under new directives, has taken bold steps to overhaul the country’s sporting structure for long-term sustainability.

Festival of Youth 2025

A flagship initiative launched by the interim government is the Festival of Youth 2025, which commenced on 30 December 2024 and will continue until 31 December 2025, under the theme:

“Esho Desh Bodlai, Prithibi Bodlai”
(Let’s Change the Country and Change the World)

Impact of the Festival

These numbers reflect a historic level of female participation in sports and underscore widespread societal support for women’s rights in Bangladesh in 2025.

Infrastructural Milestones

Over the past year, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has undertaken several infrastructure projects to boost sporting facilities nationwide.

Projects

The ministry also unveiled a plan to establish Sports Hubs in all eight divisional headquarters, aimed at grooming international athletes and hosting global-level competitions.

🇦🇪 The United Arab Emirates has already pledged funding for the Sports Hubs initiative.

Governance Reforms

A decisive aspect of the sports sector revival has been the reorganisation of sports federations and associations.

NSC Secretary Aminul Islam’s Remarks:

• Of 55 sports federations, 48 had their committees dissolved, with ad-hoc bodies formed.
• Three federations proposed for merger.
• Ad-hoc committees formed in 57 out of 64 districts.
• Over 1,100 local sports committees (divisional, district, upazila, and women’s associations) have been restructured.

“The youth have actively participated in the Festival of Youth, and stability in sports has been restored. We are confident that momentum will continue to grow,” said Aminul Islam.

Special Initiatives and Representation

A five-member Search Committee was formed post-5 August 2024 to propose governance reforms. One prominent member includes:

• Jobaydur Rahman Rana, former national badminton champion.

The committee was tasked with forming ad-hoc committees across all federations and associations, excluding football and cricket. The Women’s Sports Association committee announcement is pending.

Federation Status Overview

International Achievements

Amidst internal reforms, Bangladesh has celebrated notable international success:

• Bangladesh Women’s Football Team:
  • Qualified for the Asian Cup Final Stage
  • Secured back-to-back SAFF Championship victories

These milestones mark some of the greatest sporting triumphs in the country’s recent history.