Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday announced that the government will introduce the Prime Minister Gold Cup football tournament for primary school students from next year as part of its efforts to promote sports among children.
"From next year, we are going to launch the Prime Minister Gold Cup for primary school children. Initially it will be introduced at the primary level and gradually we will extend it to secondary schools as well, Inshallah. The decision has almost been finalised," he said.
The Prime Minister made this announcement while responding to a supplementary question from treasury bench member ABM Mosharrof Hossain (Patuakhali-4) during the question-and-answer session in the House.
The Parliament resumed its sitting in the afternoon with Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal in the chair.
The Prime Minister said a football competition for both boys and girls at the primary school level has recently been held, with participation of nearly 22 lakh children.
Referring to Mosharrof Hossain's proposal to revive the President Gold Cup football tournament introduced by late President Ziaur Rahman, Tarique Rahman said the government can take the initiative following discussion on this matter.
Replying to a starred question from BNP lawmaker Luthfullahel Mazed (Mymensingh-8), the Prime Minister said the government would gradually develop the remaining 151 parks, playgrounds, children's parks, Eidgah grounds and open spaces owned by the National Housing Authority, RAJUK and other agencies.
He said preparations have been taken to evict illegal occupants from parks and playgrounds under the Dhaka City Corporation, adding that eviction drives would continue in the future to keep those facilities free from encroachment.
The Prime Minister said there are 189 parks, playgrounds and open spaces in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) area of which 38 including 24 parks, six playgrounds, four children's parks and four Eidgah grounds are owned by the corporation.
He said initiatives have been taken to appoint security guards, install street lighting and CCTV cameras, conduct public awareness programmes to ensure the safety of parks and playgrounds.
He said all 38 DNCC-owned parks, playgrounds and open spaces are currently free from encroachment and are being managed in a planned manner.
He said the standard of sports in the country has improved significantly since the present government assumed office, while children are now getting greater opportunities to play in open fields.
Regarding Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Tarique Rahman said the authorities remain committed to removing illegal encroachments from playgrounds and footpaths in line with court directives and that the drive would continue.
He said DSCC area has 256 parks and playgrounds owned by the city corporation and other agencies, and illegal occupants have already been evicted from those facilities.
The PM also focused on the parks, playground and open spaces in other city corporations including Gazipur, Mymensingh and Barishal.
Responding to another supplementary question from BNP lawmaker Jalal Uddin (Kishoreganj-2), the Prime Minister said the government has already instructed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to identify open spaces suitable for developing sports infrastructure.
"We have already instructed them to identify open spaces available for children and people of all ages to play sports and inform the government about the spaces," he said.