Bashundhara pushes squash back into spotlight

Bashundhara Sports City, now standing as a newly defined beacon of modernity in the nation’s sporting landscape, hosted the “Second Corporate Squash Clinic” on Sunday.

The day's primary objective was to breathe new life into a sport that had largely faded from the Bangladeshi consciousness, using the corporate sector as a powerful catalyst for revival.

Organised with technical assistance from the Dhaka Squash Academy and featuring the enthusiastic participation of officials from Cotton Rose Fashion, the day-long clinic was far more than a routine training workshop.

It served as a bold stride towards dragging a moribund sport back into the mainstream. 

From the early morning, corporate officials familiarised themselves with the game in a festive and deeply engaged atmosphere.

Speaking about this clinic, the general secretary of the squash federation, Brigadier General GM Quamrul Islam, SPP (retd), expressed profound optimism regarding the sport’s rebirth. 

"Three or four years ago, squash was a 'dead game' in Bangladesh," he observed. "We are undertaking everything from school classroom programmes to corporate clinics to revive it. Many perceive it as a game exclusively for the wealthy, but we want to establish it as a 'people's game'. If it is possible to play cricket on the streets or football in paddy fields, playing squash indoors or inside a classroom is equally possible."

The event also heavily underscored the world-class infrastructure of Bashundhara Sports City and the group's wider contribution to domestic sports promotion.

Major Mohsinul Karim (retd), Chief Executive Officer of Bashundhara Sports City, outlined the sheer scale of the conglomerate's investment and its historical context.

"You have seen how football was on the verge of being lost and Bashundhara Group investing crores of taka to revitalise it. We are establishing separate pitches and indoor facilities for hockey here. In that same vein, we want to make squash universal," he said. "To preserve a tradition that dates back to the Pakistan era, a modern complex comprising three international-standard courts has been constructed here."

He was keen to emphasise the staggering scale and altruistic nature of the project. "Bashundhara Group has developed this complex across 300 acres of land entirely to promote sports; its current asset value is roughly TK35,000 crore. Our chairman was a player himself, and it is because of his passion that we are affording squash the highest priority, alongside football and hockey. Securing a business profit is not our objective here; rather, providing a healthy platform for the youth is the ultimate goal."

Looking to the future, the CEO was unequivocal about the facility's role in the national game. "Bashundhara Sports City will very soon become the epicentre of squash in Bangladesh. It is a sport that can ensure 100% fitness without being beholden to sun, rain, or storms. We want talents scattered across the furthest corners of the country to emerge from right here," he added.

Delivered in media partnership with East West Media Group Ltd, the clinic saw active involvement from national coach Marjan Monika alongside the staff of Cotton Rose Fashion.

The day's comprehensive itinerary featured theoretical discussions, live demonstrations from two coaches, and culminated in a lively internal competition among the participants, bringing a highly productive day to a fitting close.