Aminul promises more playgrounds across Dhaka

Dhaka could see a significant improvement in its playground shortage within a year, with the government planning to build a futsal ground in every ward of the country’s 13 city corporations and reclaim illegally occupied playing fields.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque made the pledge while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday, ahead of National Youth Day on Sunday 1 November.

Aminul said the Prime Minister had directed the construction of a futsal ground in every ward across the 13 city corporations, including Dhaka, while the government was also identifying vacant plots across the capital to turn them into playing fields.

“Even yesterday, we spoke with our state minister for housing and the land ministry. The honourable Prime Minister has already given instructions to build one futsal ground in each ward of our 13 city corporations,” Aminul said.

A Development Project Proposal (DPP) for the futsal grounds has already been submitted, and construction will proceed in phases, he added.

The minister acknowledged that illegal occupation of existing playing fields remained a major obstacle. He said the youth and sports ministry was working with the housing ministry to recover the land and restore it for sporting activities.

Aminul pointed to more than 27 playing fields in the third phase of the Uttara residential area, saying discussions were under way to secure additional grounds in other blocks and the Purbachal project.

“Give me some time. I am telling you, right within the next year, trust me, we will be able to largely overcome the drought of playgrounds in Dhaka city,” he said.

The initiative will involve several ministries, including youth and sports, local government, housing, land, water resources, and disaster management, as the government seeks to expand access to sporting facilities.

The government is also holding discussions with real estate developers to recover land originally designated for playing fields in private housing projects. The reclaimed grounds will be fenced off and restored for sporting activities while remaining open to the public.

Aminul said the initiative aimed to ensure that children, teenagers and local residents had access to safe, accessible spaces for recreation and sports.