Government to ensure futsal courts, sports facilities in every ward

The government has undertaken a new plan to address the shortage of playgrounds across the country. State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque has announced that futsal facilities will be ensured in every ward to provide sports opportunities for people of all ages.

He shared this plan while presiding over the first meeting of the Central Committee formed to identify, develop, and implement playgrounds in urban and rural areas, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

During the meeting, the State Minister highlighted the acute shortage of playgrounds in Dhaka city, stating that special strategies would be adopted to find suitable land. In areas where space is insufficient, initiatives will be taken to build at least one playground between two wards. If space remains an issue, a larger playground will be designated for three combined wards.

Furthermore, to promote futsal—a sport gaining immense popularity among the current generation—the government plans to establish a dedicated futsal court in every ward.

Discussing the playground plans for the two city corporations in Dhaka, Aminul said that vacant lands under the City Corporations, the Public Works Department, and various schools must be identified quickly and opened up for children.

"We are committed to ensuring adequate sports opportunities for children in every area, following the Prime Minister's (Tarique Rahman) directives," the State Minister said. "The fields will not just be for sports; they will be developed for people of all ages. Beautiful walkways will be constructed around the fields so that senior citizens can walk safely in the mornings and evenings."

Following the State Minister's recommendation, the meeting decided to designate one playground in every union as well as upazila headquarters.

During the session, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Co-operatives, Mir Shahe Alam, emphasised that playgrounds should not be located on the outskirts of a union. Instead, they should be centrally located, keeping public settlements and transport convenience in mind.

He further instructed that public interest must be given the highest priority in site selection, without allowing any political influence or personal lobbying.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Housing and Public Works, Ahmad Sohel Manjur; Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Md Mahbub ul Alam; Secretary of the Local Government Division, Md Shahidul Hasan; Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Md Nazrul Islam; Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Abdul Khalek; Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Abu Taher Md Masud Rana; and Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton.