SPORTS REPORTER

Following The Daily Star’s Monday report, titled “‘Recognition more honourable than money’: Trailblazers speak out after sports card snub”, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque has confirmed that boxer Sura Krishna Chakma and triathlete Mohammad Shamsuzzaman Arafat are set to be included in the Sports Card scheme, designed to provide financial security to elite athletes.

Sura Krishna, Bangladesh’s first professional boxer to win an international belt, and Arafat, a multi-podium Ironman athlete, were notably absent from the initial list, prompting them to voice frustrations on social media over the selection process. So far, 129 athletes have benefited since late March, with the total reaching 300 last week.

Minister Aminul yesterday told The Daily Star that while the initial plan is to bring 500 athletes under the scheme -- with performance reviews every four months -- the remaining 200 spots will be filled after the first review cycle, allowing more high-achievers in underrepresented disciplines to receive recognition.

Addressing the selection criteria, he added that nominees were first recommended by their respective federations before being finalised by government officials.