600 runners join anti-drug marathon in Sreepur, call to bring youth back to sports

An anti-drug marathon, the 'Nayanpur 25K Run', has been held in Sreepur, Gazipur, under the slogan 'Start running, stop drugs'.

The marathon started at 6am on Friday (30 October) from in front of Rajendrapur Laboratory School. A total of 600 runners of different ages took part.

The chief guest at the marathon, organised by the Nayanpur Jubo Samaj, was Professor Dr SM Rafiqul Islam Bachchu, the MP for Gazipur-3 and chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the health and family welfare ministry.

In his speech the chief guest said, 'Drugs are destroying us. The youth must not be allowed to be destroyed by drugs. We have to move forward by engaging the youth in sports and cultural arenas.'

He also said sport is immensely important in building a healthy nation and society, and that there is no alternative to engaging young people in sports and cultural activities to keep them away from the dangers of drugs.

Also present were Rajendrapur Cantonment station commander Brigadier General Nasir Uddin, CID Commandant Brigadier General Abdul Malek, Dr Shafiq, Principal Mir Monir, local dignitaries and members of the conscious youth community.

The organisers said the main aim of the event was to spread anti-drug awareness and encourage young people to lead healthy lives. With the message 'Say no to drugs, say yes to life', the participants expressed their resolve to build a drug-free society.

The organisers said the 600 runners took part across three categories — full marathon, half marathon and mini marathon.