A daylong sports competition and cultural programme for the Santal youths was held at Seventh Day Adventist Pre-Seminary School at Tallapara village under Gobibdaganj upazila in the district Sunday. 

Abalamban Foundation, a voluntary organization of the district arranged the function in association with European Union, Plan International and Article-19.
 
In this regard, a concluding ceremony was also held at the school premises this afternoon with indigenous leader Maria Murmu in the chair. 

Executive Director of Abamban Foundation Probir Chakraborty, teacher AhaduzzamanRimu, women leader Najma Begum, former councilor Sajeda Parveen Runu, convener of Adibashi-Bangali Sanghati parishad Sadar upazila unit, Golam Rabbani Musa, member secretary of Samazik Sangram Parishad Hasan Morshed Dipon, spoke at the function, among others. 

The speakers said the small ethnic groups of the plain land are on the verge of extinction. 
The cultural groups are also disappearing and they have become the poorest and landless community of the country, they also said. 

Considering their issues and existence, the government should take pragmatic measures to protect the language and culture of the small ethnic community without any delay, they added. 
In this perspective, they demanded to the government to form separate ministry for the welfare of the indigenous people immediately. 

Later, crests and prizes were distributed to the winners who participated in the competition on different events.