United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to establish at least one playground in every union and set up at least 1,000 playgrounds across the country within the next two months to create a healthy and sports-friendly environment for children, adolescents and young people. He also directed for ensuring at least one playground for every two to three wards of the two city corporations of Dhaka, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing. The Prime Minister gave the directives at a meeting on establishing union-level playgrounds and expanding sports activities held at the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat in the afternoon. The meeting discussed making 40 playgrounds in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 90 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) suitable for sports and launching regular sporting activities there by December. Stressing implementation of the pledge made in the BNP’s election manifesto, Tarique Rahman ordered the establishment of at least one playground in every union. He also emphasised expanding sports opportunities for the physical and mental development of the next generation and keeping the playgrounds open to all. According to the meeting, initiatives have been taken to establish playgrounds in all 4,599 unions across the country in phases. So far, 403 sites of khas land have been identified in 27 districts for developing as playgrounds. The proposed playgrounds will range from three to eight bighas in size. A decision has also been taken to appoint a sports officer in each upazila to ensure proper maintenance of the playgrounds and organise regular sporting activities.