The inauguration, including foundation-laying, of 11 sports facilities across 10 districts under the National Sports Council was completed virtually on Thursday by Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan.

The virtual events were conducted from the Secretariat.

Four facilities were inaugurated, including three mini stadiums and a swimming pool, at an estimated cost of Tk 115 crore.

Foundation stones were laid for six new mini stadiums at an estimated cost of Tk 131 crore, and implementation work for a mini stadium costing Tk 12.7 crore was also launched during the event.

The facilities inaugurated include Ghaznavi Stadium and Bhola District Swimming Pool in Bhola, Char Fashion Upazila Mini Stadium in Bhola, and Juri Upazila Mini Stadium in Moulvibazar. Foundation stones were laid for Narail Bir Shrestha Noor Mohammad Stadium and Table Tennis Building, as well as mini stadiums in Pirganj (Rangpur), Charbhadrasan (Faridpur), Daulatpur (Manikganj), Indurkani (Pirojpur), and Bagatipara (Natore). Implementation work also began for Shaheed Md. Asif Hasan Mini Stadium in Debhata Upazila, Satkhira.

Speaking on the occasion, the Youth and Sports Adviser said, “By creating mini stadiums at the upazila level, we are decentralizing sports and providing hubs for sports and cultural activities. These stadiums are being built to fairly modern standards.”

Highlighting further initiatives, he added, “We are planning an international standard sports institute and a regional branch of BKSP in Rangamati, with feasibility studies underway.”

Regarding gender equality in sports, Asif Mahmud said authorities have instructed federations to reduce salary disparities between men and women.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has equalized allowances and tour fees for women cricketers and increased their salaries by 35 percent.

“We have also advised the BFF to at least double the salaries of women footballers, with financial assistance from our side,” he added.