DHAKA, Jan10, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today called upon the country's young generation to focus on sports along with education and stay away from drug abuse.

"Sportsmen are generally open-minded and they can play a vital role in society by raising awareness against drug abuse. This is also the objective of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman," he said while inaugurating Zia Inter-Thana Football Tournament at the Pallabi City Club ground in Mirpur here.

Mirza Fakhrul said Awami League has destroyed all the institutions of the country in the last 15 years as the sports arena is a big example of that.

He said that during the Awami League's tenure, good and talented players were not given opportunities.

Mirza Fakhrul said cricket is now very popular but football was once a very popular game. 
Highlighting the contribution of the Zia family in the country's sports arena, the BNP Secretary General said that late Arafat Rahman played a big role for the development of cricket. 

He called for spreading football tournaments in the name of Shaheed Zia across the country.
Later, Dhaka City North BNP convener Aminul Haque inaugurated the Zia Inter-Thana Football Tournament. 

Security Analyst Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, Dhaka City North BNP member secretary Md. Mustafa Zaman, joint convener and tournament committee chief convener Akhter Hossain and tournament management committee convener Md. Zahed Parvez Chowdhury were present at the event.