Open playgrounds to get priority over infrastructure: Aminul

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque today said the government wants to put emphasis on open playgrounds across the country instead of building close-door infrastructures to create a new sports environment for tomorrow’s Bangladesh.

He made the statement while exchanging views with sports editors and senior sports reporters at the conference room of the National Sports Council (NSC).

Unveiling the government’s initial plans, Aminul said the focus would be on creating accessible open spaces for children and youth from upazila to city corporation levels.

“The government wants to emphasise sports at the grassroots by creating more open playgrounds so that children can play freely without obstacles,” he said. “We don’t want to give priority to infrastructure. I have already spoken to deputy commissioners (DCs) to identify open spaces for sports.”

He admitted that open grounds are scarce in Dhaka and said the ministry is considering building multi-purpose venues covering two to three wards, with walkways for elderly citizens.

Aminul also revealed that he discussed sports development with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who provided guidelines to help turn sports into a profession.

“We are working on criteria and mechanisms to bring athletes under a formal salary structure to ensure their financial security,” he said.

The minister sought suggestions from journalists on how to energise sports at upazila and district levels and which disciplines should be introduced at schools.

He said the government plans to make five disciplines, including football and cricket, mandatory from Class IV, and requested proposals for three more. Journalists recommended athletics, shooting, archery, hockey, martial arts, table tennis and badminton.

Aminul said an annual sports calendar would be introduced to ensure year-round activities, adjusted to seasonal variations such as summer and winter. Matches at upazila and district levels would be brought under a framework of accountability.

Journalists at the meeting urged the ministry to increase district-level budgets, reform district sports committees, reconsider heavy spending on upazila mini stadiums and ensure school grounds remain open until evening.

The minister also announced plans to open a research cell to improve sports activities and a monitoring cell to oversee implementation.

“I believe the suggestions we have received today will be given highest priority,” Aminul said. “Together, we want to bring qualitative change in our family and social structures through sports.

“Every parent wants their child to be a doctor, engineer or barrister, but few want their child to be an athlete. I want to change that. I want to start a movement where every parent can dream of their child becoming an established professional athlete.”