|| Aziz Al Zaman, Rangpur: The Rangpur Development Authority has honoured medal-winning athletes from the Rangpur region who excelled in different events at the national level under New Kuri Sports Season-1.The felicitation ceremony was held on Sunday afternoon at the Divisional Commissioner’s Conference Room at Uttam C.O. Bazar in Rangpur. The successful athletes were presented with flowers and crests in recognition of their achievements.A documentary highlighting various activities of New Kuri Sports Season-1 was also screened at the event.Rangpur Development Authority Chairman and Metropolitan BNP Convener Shamsuzzaman Samu presided over the programme and delivered the keynote remarks.He said all necessary initiatives would be taken to make the sports sector in Rangpur more dynamic and developed.“We will work to develop talented and high-quality athletes. InshaAllah, we will take all necessary steps for the development of sports,” he said.Samu also urged parents to encourage their children to participate in sports alongside their studies.“Children should pay attention to sports as well as their studies. Sports keep both the body and mind healthy and help bring honour to the country and the nation,” he said.He called upon parents to remain vigilant so that their children stay away from mobile phone addiction and drugs.Rangpur Range Deputy Inspector General Aminul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud, and Rangpur Divisional Additional Commissioner (General) Abdul Motaleb Sarkar addressed the event as distinguished guests.Rangpur Public Works Department Executive Engineer and Rangpur Development Authority Member Abu Zafar Siddiqui and the authority’s Executive Officer Sakiul Alam also spoke at the programme.Among those present were Rangpur Journalists Union (RPUJ) President Alhaj Salekuzzaman Salek, Office Secretary Harun-ur-Rashid Sohel, District Jubo Dal Vice-President Faruk Ahmed, Joint General Secretary Mahmudul Hasan Rana, Treasurer Ashraful Islam, Metropolitan BNP leader Zakir Hossain Palash, former Metropolitan Jubo Dal Joint General Secretary Imran Hossain Mintu, Metropolitan Olama Dal Convener Maulana Jamal Uddin Faizi, journalist Aziz Al Zaman Ruhit, and Metropolitan Chhatra Dal Senior Joint Convener Shafiul Islam Sabuj.At the concluding session, the medal-winning athletes were formally honoured with flowers and crests. Speakers praised their achievements and encouraged them to work harder to achieve even greater success at the national level in the future.