No more fairs allowed in stadiums and sports grounds: Sports Minister

PNN News Desk. Dhaka
Youth and Sports Minister Md. Aminul Haque has said that no further commercial fairs or non-sporting events will be allowed in stadiums and sports grounds across the country. He said the government has taken this decision to preserve sports venues exclusively for sporting activities.

He made this statement while speaking to journalists after the final session of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Wednesday.

The minister said that in the past, the Ministry of Youth and Sports had allowed fairs in stadiums and fields, but that process has now been stopped. According to him, fairs disrupt sports activities and damage the environment of playing fields.

He added that the “Nobbo Kuri Sports” program is currently being implemented in all 64 districts of the country. Through this initiative, young people are becoming more interested in sports, and playgrounds are being regularly used. Therefore, to protect athletes’ interests and future generations, the government has decided to keep sports fields exclusively for sports.

In response to a question about relocating street vendors from playgrounds, the minister said that no hawkers will be allowed in fields that are designated for sports. He added that discussions are ongoing with city corporations and relevant authorities regarding this issue.

He also said the government has taken new plans to improve sports infrastructure across the country. Large-scale development projects are being undertaken to renovate and manage district stadiums, sports complexes, and swimming complexes.

According to him, integrated sports programs will be implemented at village, upazila, and district levels to develop talented athletes from the grassroots. Initiatives are also being taken to create employment opportunities for youth through sports.

He further said that the second phase of the “Nobbo Kuri Sports” program is planned to begin soon.