Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called upon all to be more sensitive and extend their support to the disabled, autistic and visually and hearing impaired people, saying they are also parts of the society.

“We’ll have to give special attention to the physically challenged and disabled people because they are also parts of the society. We’ll have to be sensitive to them, extend our hands of support and thus creating scopes for flourishing their talents,” she said.

The Prime Minister made the call while addressing players, athletes and officials of the Special Olympics, Bangladesh team and players and officials of Bangladesh Blind Cricket Team at her official residence Ganobhaban in the evening.

Chairman of the Special Olympics, Bangladesh Dr Shamima Matin Chowdhury led her team while Chairman of Bangladesh Blind Cricket Council-BBCC Harun-ur-Rashid Babu his council and Bangladesh blind cricket team to Ganobhaban.

Sheikh Hasina also urged the affluent section of the society to extend their helping hands to support the people with different types of disabilities like hearing and visual.

Congratulating the players and officials of both the teams, the Prime Minister said they have brightened the country’s image in the international sports arena.

In this connection, she said, the victory of the Blind Cricketers in an international tournament is rare for Bangladesh and it is very much inspiring.

On the other hand, she said, the athletes and players of the Special Olympics, Bangladesh achieve a good number of medals, including gold ones, every year.

The Prime Minister, highlighting various steps to develop the sports sector of the country, said her government has taken the policy of turning sports and games universal for all.

In this regard, she mentioned that a sports complex is being established particularly for the disabled players where they will get all the facilities, including practice and training.

The government would patronise all potential players and athletes of the country irrespective of healthy or disabled players, she said.

Pointing towards building of mini stadiums in different places of the country, especially at upazila level, Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to construct such stadiums which would remain open for all.

Besides, her government has taken all necessary initiatives to expand sports and games in the country as well as inspire the children to be more attentive to these, she added.

Founder chairman of the Special Olympics, Bangladesh Ashrafuddoula, Chairman of the BBCC Harun-ur-Rashid and Manager of the BBCC M Taijuddin also spoke on the occasion while Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy was present.

Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over cheques of financial assistance of Tk 1 lakh each to some 46 players, athletes, coaches and officials of both the blind cricket and Special Olympics teams alongside gifts in recognition of their achievements.

Special Olympics World Games 2015 was held in Los Angels of the USA from July 25 to August 2 in which nearly 7,000 athletes took part from more than 170 countries. The Bangladeshi players clinched 18 gold medals, 22 silver medals and 14 bronze medals there.

On the other hand, Bangladesh Blind Cricket team emerged joint champions in the Tri-Bangla Friendship International Blind Cricket Tournament in Kolkata of India held on June 11-13 last.

In the final of the tournament, Bangladesh Blind Cricket team jointly became champions with South Bengal Blind team as the final at Eden Gardens between the two teams could not be held due to heavy rain.