Special children, differently-abled people are not society's burden: PM

News Desk    |    ০৭:১০ পিএম, ২০২২-০৩-৩১

 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said special children and differently-abled or physically challenged people are not the
burden for the society rather they make society enrich with their ability.

"The special children and physically challenged people are not the burden, we can feel proud of them, we feel they are one of us....this is the biggest thing," she said.

The Premier made these remarks while addressing the prize-giving ceremony of Bangabandhu Four Nations Physically Challenged Cricket Tournament-2022 at Sheikh Kamal Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar. She joined the ceremony virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.

Sheikh Hasina said the special children and physically challenged persons arenot separated from the society; they are the part of this society.
Mentioning that they are the children of the state, she said, "We have to give them all sorts of cooperation...all should remember that they are our children."

State Minister for youth and sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel and secretary of ministry of youth and sports Mesbah Uddin also spoke.
In the final match, host Bangladesh team beat India by nine wickets.The Prime Minister declared that each player of the champion team will be provided with Tk 500,000.

She also declared that a sport related fund involving Taka 10 crore will be formed for physically challenged persons and special children of the country. She also congratulated all the players and match officials of the champion team.

Later, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel handed over prizes among the players of champion Bangladesh and runners up India teams.

Renewing her pledge of building BKSP in every division to further progress the sports and games, the Prime Minister said the government is also constructing mini stadiums in each upazila across the country.

Extending her heartfelt congratulations to Bangladesh team for the great achievement in the tournament, Sheikh Hasina hoped that the physically challenged players would continue their growth in the days to come.

In this regard, she mentioned that the physically challenged players have brightened image of the country as they already won 216 gold and other medals in the international sports arena.

The Premier said, "The physically challenged persons should not be neglected." Earlier, Sheikh Hasina enjoyed the final of the tournament for sometime through video conference from Ganabhaban. During the time, she encouraged players of the Bangladesh team through clapping and waving national flag.

Javed Bhuiyan of Bangladesh got the Man of the Tournament Prize as he scored a total of 159 runs and two wickets, while Kazol Hossain was adjudged as the Man of the today's Match for his 60 runs in 32 balls. Sajjad Hossain of Bangladesh received prize of the best wicket scorer in the tournament.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Bangladesh Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged and the National Paralympics Committee jointly hosted the tournament marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 52nd Independence and National Day.

Four teams - India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and host Bangladesh took part in the tournament that began with a colorful program on March 27.