State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque said permission will no longer be given to hold fairs at stadiums.
The state minister came up with the remark while talking to reporters on Wednesday after the first session of the fourth and final day of the DC Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
The session was held with the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Responding to a question about sports activities being disrupted due to fairs at district-level playgrounds, the State Minister said “The ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ programme is currently being held in district stadiums across all 64 districts. In the past, the Ministry of Youth and Sports often granted permission for fairs. But since I assumed responsibility, no permission has been given for organising any fair. We will not allow stadiums to be used for fairs in future.”
When asked about the two city corporations’ plans to rehabilitate hawkers at playgrounds, Aminul said the two city corporations along with three ministers and relevant secretaries, have already inspected the grounds.
“Those which are suitable for sports will certainly not be used for hawker rehabilitation. If necessary, we will discuss the matter with them to ensure this,” he added.
The State Minister also said that a project has been undertaken to renovate and make functional district stadiums, sports complexes and swimming complexes across Bangladesh, so that efforts to develop athletes from the grassroots can be properly implemented.
The aim is to build effective coordination so that youth at the grassroots and future generations can be connected and employment opportunities can be ensured, he added.
Regarding the Notun Kuri Sports initiative, he expressed hope that after the first session, a second phase will be launched.
If this continuity is maintained, within the next few years through coordination from district to upazila and union levels a significant qualitative transformation can be achieved at the family, social, and national levels, he said.