With the nation's once glorious athletics scene in dire straits in terms of success on the international stage due to a lack of quality athletes, the Bangladesh Athletics Federation (BAF) finally took the initiative to unearth new talents from the grassroots level by organising the first-ever Inter-School and Madrasa Athletics Championships.

Until now, the BAF has remained committed to organising three events – the National Athletics Championships, Summer Athletics Championships and age-group athletics championships – every year, neglecting schools which were once breeding grounds for athletes.

The introduction of the Sheikh Kamal Inter-School and Madrasa Athletics Championships, which will get underway from January 14 at union-level schools and madrasas, is expected to revive the culture of sport at the school level.

"Generally, educational boards hold inter-school and madrasa sports competitions. But many upazilas and districts even came to know about this competition," BAF general secretary Abdur Rahman Montu said. "Wins and losses are not important, involvement of all schools in sport is far more important. So, we want to focus on school sports to revive the country's athletics."

Schools at union level will initially take part in the championships at the upazila level before the district, division and final phases take place gradually between January 14 and February 13.

"We are expecting around 50 lakh students to take part in 17 events," Montu said, adding that students from class six to eight would be competing in four events – 100m sprint, 200m sprint, high-jump and long jump (girls and boys) while students from class nine to ten would participate in 13 events – 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 400x100m relay, high-jump, long and triple jump, hammer throw, javelin throw, shotput and discus throw (boys and girls).

The BAF needs a big budget to complete the competition and BAF's new president Tofazzal Hossain Miah, also the principal secretary to the prime minister, has played a vital role in arranging the funding as well as involving the local administration at district level.

Montu said they planned to provide scholarships and advanced training to athletes selected from the championships.