How Gulshan Youth Club blends sports, culture and community in one place

It was around 7:30 in the evening. Gulshan, already one of Dhaka's busiest areas, looked even more crowded as office hours had just ended. The honking of cars, the heavy heat, and the dust in the air made the streets almost unbearable. But right in the middle of all this chaos, something different stood out — a corner of calm and greenery. Behind a fence in Gulshan-2 sat the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Smriti Park.

After stepping through the south gate, a sudden breeze swept past me, like a warm welcome. On the left, an astroturf football field came into view. Under the small floodlights, a group of young men were running, shouting, and laughing as they played. Their joy was endless. I paused to watch for a while.

"My home is in Uttar Badda. There's no proper playground in my area. That's why, after finishing classes and coaching, my friends and I often come here," one of them told The Business Standard. "We really enjoy this safe and well-kept field."

Photo: Courtesy

The park is much more than just football. Nearby, children climbed colourful equipment while their parents watched from benches. A short walk away stood a cricket ground, tennis courts, basketball court, swimming pool, roller-skating area, gymnasium, and even a library. 

Open from dawn until 11 at night, the park welcomes joggers in the morning, schoolchildren in the afternoon, and families in the evening. Security guards at the gates and cameras inside help make the park feel safe, particularly for women, children and foreigners.

This transformation didn't happen overnight. Years ago, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) handed over the park's maintenance to the Gulshan Youth Club. Since then, the club has driven its development with the motto "Sports and Beyond." "The biggest problem in Dhaka is the lack of playgrounds," said the club's president, Dr Wahiduzzaman, who himself has been a sports enthusiast since his teenage years. "Because of this, many young people are falling into bad company and drug abuse. That is why we developed this park to give the youth a safe space to play and grow."

Photo: Courtesy

The Gulshan Youth Club's journey began in the mid-1970s as a small sports group. Over time, it grew into a community organisation that combines athletics with social responsibility. Alongside football and cricket tournaments, the club introduced morning walks, exercise sessions, sewing classes for underprivileged women, a school for underprivileged children, and weekly free medical services.

"We train 10 to 15 underprivileged women in one batch to teach sewing through a three-month program," Dr Wahiduzzaman explained. "After completing the course, they receive a certificate, completely free of charge. Many of them are now employed. We also organise a weekly medical camp where doctors provide consultations and medicines at no cost."

Over the decades, the club built two international-standard tennis courts, basketball and badminton courts, a gymnasium, and modern playgrounds — all with its own funds. It also installed street lighting, public toilets, and paved walkways, turning the space into a model urban park.

But the park's survival was never guaranteed. In the early 1990s, the government allocated parts of the land to private companies. Wonderland Children's Park was allowed to operate in one corner, while another section was given to. 

Residents, however, resisted the move. In 1995, the club and locals filed a case in the High Court. After years of legal battle, the court ruled in 2012 that Wonderland must be demolished and the land restored as open space.

"If we hadn't fought, this place would have been gone," said Amir Musatafa, an executive member of the club. "Now it's a lifeline not just for Gulshan residents but for people from surrounding areas too."

The park's revival picked up pace in 2017, when the Ministry of Housing and Public Works handed it over to DNCC. The then mayor, Annisul Huq, consulted with residents and pushed forward a redevelopment plan. After years of renovation, the park reopened in December 2022, renamed the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Smriti Park in honour of the country's first prime minister.

Since 2023, DNCC has entrusted the Gulshan Youth Club with day-to-day operations. The club continues to pay for electricity, water, and staff salaries from its own resources through its 750-member body, an unusual model in Dhaka where most parks depend fully on government funding.

Not every change has been without controversy. The fencing and artificial turf sparked debate, with critics saying the park felt less natural. Wahiduzzaman defended the decisions, saying, "People walking on the paths were often injured by cricket balls or footballs. 

The fencing was installed for safety and at the residents' request. As for the turf, the field used to turn into mud for months during the monsoon. Now children can play year-round. Moreover, we regularly plant and maintain the trees. We have separate staff for this job."

Walking deeper into the park shows just how widely it is used. On the tennis courts, 58-year-old consultant Mustafa Tariq was finishing a set. "I spent the whole day under stress. This is the only time I can exercise," he said. "Playing here refreshes both my body and mind. For that, I must thank Gulshan Youth Club."

Nearby, the swimming pool glowed under evening lights. For some families, it has become essential. "Swimming is a life skill," said Kaniz Fatema to TBS, a housewife and mother of two. "Since the ponds and rivers in Dhaka are no longer usable, this pool is our only option. My elder son has already learned within weeks. I hope my daughter will, too."

The park also nurtures future athletes. Young boys and women practised batting in the cricket nets while teenagers honed their skills on the basketball court. Coaches, often volunteers from the community, help guide them. For parents worried about their children spending too much time on screens, the park has become a healthier alternative.

Beyond sports, the library inside the park attracts youth to literature. On weekends, storytelling sessions and cultural programs are organised, making the park more than just a recreational space. "We wanted to create an environment where everyone feels included," said Wahiduzzaman.

For many, the park is also a place of healing. Elderly residents come for morning walks, often forming small groups for exercise or conversation. Some arrive with their grandchildren, bridging generations in a city where shared family spaces are rare. For domestic workers living in nearby colonies, the park offers a welcome escape from cramped quarters.

Anjali Mitra, a 44-year-old banker, comes to the park regularly in the evenings to walk with her friend. "The walkway is surrounded by trees, and it feels like I'm walking under a green canopy. During the rain, it looks especially fresh. Given the country's current situation, safety is a major concern, but I think the authorities maintain security very well, as I've never heard of any incident here."