Mr. Dipen Dewan MP, the Honorable Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, stated today that there is no substitute for sports and culture in maintaining communal harmony and building a bright future for the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region.
The Minister announced that special sports-related projects will be launched to ensure students in every school of the CHT have the opportunity to showcase their talents alongside their formal education. Minister Dipen Dewan MP emphasized that the Ministry of CHT Affairs will play a leading role in producing world-class athletes, following in the footsteps of celebrated players like Ritu Porna Chakma and Rupna Chakma.
Minister Dipen Dewan MP made these remarks as the Chief Guest at the final match and prize-giving ceremony of the Primary School Gold Cup (Boys & Girls) Football Tournament, held today, Sunday, at the Ching Hla Mong Chowdhury Mari Stadium in Rangamati.
The Minister Dipen Dewan MP noted that Rangamati has a long-standing reputation for producing talented athletes. He recalled that even during the Pakistan era, athletes from this region, including his own uncle, brought honor to the country.
He praised current stars like Rupna, Ritu Porna, Monika, and Anai Mogini for restoring the region’s sporting glory.
To ensure regular practice of music and sports, the Minister expressed his intent to recruit specialized teachers to motivate students further. He urged teachers to remain dedicated to developing skilled athletes alongside academic excellence.
The Minister’s wife, Mrs. Moitry Chakma, attended the event as the Guest of Honor. In her speech, she praised the visionary steps taken by the Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Tarique Rahman, such as the ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ program. She noted that these initiatives are vital for the physical and mental development of teenagers nationwide. She also requested the Minister to ensure continued government funding and infrastructure development for sports in the hill regions.
The program was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati, Nazma Ashrafi. Other special guests are Additional Superintendent of Police, Rangamati, Mr. Md. Iqbal Hossain PPM, Bir Muktijoddha Colonel Monish Dewan, Former Deputy Minister Mr. Moni Swapan Dewan, Ameer of Rangamati District Jamaat-e-Islami Professor Abdul Alim, Rangamati District Primary Education Officer Mr. Md. Kafil Uddin, Member Secretary of District Sports Association and former Mayor Mr. Saiful Islam Chowdhury Bhutto