Be more sensitive towards the disabled: PM Sheikh Hasina

She said people with disabilities whether they are visually or hearing impaired or autistic are an integral part of the society and they will have to be given more attention.

"So I urge the people of all spheres to be more sensitive towards the disabled and extend helping hands and give scope for flourishing their latent talents," she said.

The Prime Minister said this when the players and officials of Bangladesh National Blind Cricket Team and Bangladesh Special Olympic Team called on her at her official Ganobhaban residence here tonight.

Spelling out her government's initiatives for the development of sports and games in the country, Sheikh Hasina said those who would perform well would get the government's support.

"Who is disabled and who is not --- it's not a considerable matter for the government. Rather those who will perform well in the field of sports will definitely receive the government cooperation," she said.

Mentioning that making the sports and games universal is a policy of the government, the Prime Minister said her government has already introduced sports and games at the school-level.

She said her government is constructing a sports complex for the people with disabilities. "There would be all facilities in the complex for the disabled players," she said.

The Prime Minister extended her heartiest congratulations to the players and officials of the Bangladesh National Blind Cricket Team for becoming joint champions in the Tri-Bangla Friendship International Blind Cricket Tournament held in Kolkata on June 11-13 this year.

She also greeted the Bangladesh Special Olympic Team which won 18 gold, 22 silver and 14 bronze medals in the Special Olympic Games held in Los Angeles in the USA from July 25 to August 2 this year.

"The Bangladesh Blind Cricket Team and Special Olympic Team have brightened the country's image by showing successes in these tournaments," the PM said.

Founder chairman of the Special Olympics Foundation, Bangladesh Ashrafuddoula, Chairman of Special Olympics Bangladesh Dr Shamim Matin Chowdhury, Chairman of the Bangladesh National Blind Cricket (BNBC) Team Harun-ur-Rashid, Manager of the BNBC Team M Taijuddin and former national women badminton champion Kamrunnahar Dana also spoke on the occasion.

Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy was present on the dais.

Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over a cheque for Taka one lakh and some gifts to the each of the players and officials of the Bangladesh Special Olympics Team and Bangladesh National Blind Cricket (BNBC) Team.