Govt seeks 8 bighas of land for playground in every union

The government has launched an initiative to establish a playground in every union across the country by identifying at least eight bighas of land in each area to promote grassroots sports.

According to a press release yesterday, the initiative aims to help children, adolescents and young people develop into healthy, disciplined and productive citizens by encouraging outdoor activities at a time when technology-dependent lifestyles, shrinking open spaces and rapid urbanisation have curtailed field-based recreation.

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State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said adequate playgrounds are essential for the overall development of sports.

To oversee the initiative, the Prime Minister's Office has formed a high-powered committee, with Aminul serving as its convener. The committee also includes the state minister for local government, the state minister for housing and 12 secretaries from different ministries.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has already sent demi-official (DO) letters to all members of parliament, requesting them to identify at least eight bighas of land in their respective constituencies for the construction of modern playgrounds to promote sports at the grassroots level.

In line with decisions taken at an inter-ministerial meeting, district commissioners (DCs) and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) have been asked to designate one field in every union as a central playground.

The DCs and UNOs have also been requested to submit proposals for the renovation and development of the selected grounds for public use. Local public representatives have been urged to cooperate by providing the necessary instructions to the respective UNOs in their constituencies, according to a statement issued by the sports minister's press secretary.