Futsal Ground Planned for Every Ward of 13 City Corporations, Sports State Minister Hopes for Visible Progress in Dhaka Within a Year
The government hopes to make visible progress within a year in resolving the shortage of playgrounds in Dhaka. As part of that effort, an initiative has been taken to build a futsal ground in every ward of the country's 13 city corporations, including the capital.
Youth and Sports State Minister Md Aminul Haque disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference at the Secretariat organised ahead of National Youth Day on 1 November, while answering questions from journalists.
The state minister said the prime minister has directed that a futsal ground be built in every ward of the 13 city corporations. A Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been sent for that purpose and the grounds will be built in phases.
He said efforts are under way to identify vacant spaces in different areas of Dhaka and make them suitable for play through renovation. Discussions have been held with the housing and land ministry. There are more than 27 fields in Uttara's third phase, and the field land in Purbachal is also under discussion.
Aminul Haque said not only the youth and sports ministry but also the local government, housing, land, water resources and disaster management and relief ministries are working together on the initiative.
On allegations that housing projects sold flats showing playgrounds and later built structures on that land, the state minister said instructions have been given to identify the companies facing such allegations. The sites will be identified and efforts made to free them from occupation, and after taking possession the fields will be fenced, renovated and kept open to all.
At the same press conference, the state minister said all fairs, including the National Youth Fair, at the old trade fair ground in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar have been suspended for now. The public works ministry issued a formal letter on Thursday morning. Youth fairs will, however, be held locally at district and upazila level.
Asked about batting coach Mohammad Ashraful being dropped two days before the series against the West Indies, the state minister said the government wants to allow sports federations, including the cricket board and the football federation, to work independently. He noted Ashraful could be included again in future despite being dropped now.
The state minister also spoke about ticket prices for the SAFF Championship to be held in November. He said the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has given ticket management responsibility to a company, that he too has heard prices were set high, and that after discussions it will be known whether there is scope for reconsideration.
