Govt to build sports villages in all districts, indoor stadiums in 450 upazilas: State minister

Youth and Sports State Minister Md Aminul Haque has said the government will build sports villages with indoor facilities in every district and construct indoor stadiums in 450 upazilas to develop the country’s sports sector.

He made the remarks in parliament today (27 April) during a question-and-answer session while outlining plans for the development of the sports sector.

A sports village refers to a specific area or complex where various types of sports fields, training centres and facilities are located together.

In a written question, Noakhali-1 MP AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon asked what steps the government would take to improve the sports sector, which he said had been pushed towards decline due to corruption in the past.

In response, the state minister said the government has taken initiatives to accelerate the development of sports and create players at the grassroots level, as well as to establish sports as a profession.

He said measures have been taken to make sports compulsory from Class 4 in the national curriculum. Under the “Notun Kuri” sports programme, steps have been taken to provide scholarships to talented sports students aged 12-14.

The state minister added that the government has taken steps to appoint sports officers and sports teachers in all upazilas, construct sports villages with indoor facilities in 64 districts, and build standard indoor stadiums in 450 upazilas.

“The government will create ward-based fields and free them from encroachment, ensure opportunities for persons with special needs and the underprivileged to participate in sports at national and international levels, establish a domestic sports equipment industry, and improve infrastructure while increasing private investment,” he said. 

“A branch of BKSP will also be established in every divisional city,” he added.

The state minister said a probe committee has been formed to investigate various allegations against the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Necessary actions will be taken based on the committee’s recommendations.

He further said there are plans to form ad hoc committees in district and divisional sports associations, with full committees to be formed through elections within the next three months. Action will also be taken against any sports federation or organisation facing allegations following an investigation, he added.