PM orders playgrounds in every union, 1,000 new fields within two months

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (8 October) directed the authorities concerned to establish at least one playground in every union and set up at least 1,000 playgrounds across the country within the next two months to create a healthy and sports-friendly environment for children, adolescents and young people.

He also directed for ensuring at least one playground for every two to three wards of the two city corporations of Dhaka, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing.

The prime minister gave the directives at a meeting on establishing union-level playgrounds and expanding sports activities held at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat in the afternoon.

The meeting discussed making 40 playgrounds in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 90 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) suitable for sports and launching regular sporting activities there by December.

Stressing implementation of the pledge made in the BNP's election manifesto, Tarique Rahman ordered the establishment of at least one playground in every union.

He also emphasised expanding sports opportunities for the physical and mental development of the next generation and keeping the playgrounds open to all.

According to the meeting, initiatives have been taken to establish playgrounds in all 4,599 unions across the country in phases.

So far, 403 sites of khas land have been identified in 27 districts for developing as playgrounds.

The proposed playgrounds will range from three to eight bighas in size.

A decision has also been taken to appoint a sports officer in each upazila to ensure proper maintenance of the playgrounds and organise regular sporting activities.

The government has also planned to involve around 14 lakh boys and girls in 10 sporting events at the union level, including football, cricket, volleyball and badminton.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the sports programme simultaneously in all 503 upazilas from Khulna on November 5.

The meeting also discussed making existing upazila stadiums operational and suitable for sports, recovering occupied playgrounds and introducing regular sports and sports-club activities in every school.

The prime minister directed the ministries and agencies concerned to work in coordination to preserve all playgrounds across the country, continue sports and cultural activities throughout the year and build a healthy, beautiful and sports-friendly generation within the next five years.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque, DNCC Administrator Md Safiqul Islam Khan, DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam and Prime Minister's Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin attended the meeting.

After the meeting, Aminul briefed journalists on the decisions taken at the meeting.