Dhaka, March 30 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said the government has launched sports allowance aiming to eliminate the financial uncertainty that often forces talented individuals to abandon athletic careers.

"We believe that today sports is not just a hobby, entertainment, or physical exercise, but is being recognised as a profession all over the world. Bangladesh will not be left behind," he said at national sports allowance and sports card launching programme at Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister launched the initiative electronically transferring Tk 1 lakh to the bank accounts of 129 athletes, bringing athletes from 20 disciplines under a formal state salary structure for the first time in t...