Bangladesh’s efforts to establish playgrounds in all 4,599 unions nationwide have encountered significant challenges due to a shortage of suitable government-owned khas land, officials said. The initiative aims to promote sports, support children’s physical and mental development, and steer youth away from drugs and juvenile crime.
A high-level committee, established under the Prime Minister’s Office and led by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque, is overseeing the project. At a meeting held on March 14, the committee directed deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) to identify eight bighas of khas land per playground, and to submit proposals for renovation and development.
Seven months after the directive, land information has been collected from 599 unions across 35 districts, according to Md Aminul Haque. The government aims to gather data for 1,000 unions by December, with plans to develop playgrounds in all unions over the next five years. The state minister emphasized that the project relies exclusively on khas land ownership, with no separate budget allocated for new land acquisition. Renovation and development efforts will be coordinated with the ministries of Local Government, Disaster Management and Relief, and Youth and Sports.
However, securing appropriate khas land has proven difficult. Officials report that much of the available khas land has been occupied or repurposed by influential individuals, often for structures, leaving few suitable vacant plots. While the number of unions lacking appropriate khas land is considered relatively low, the committee has not yet decided how to proceed in those areas.
Guidelines for site selection specify that playgrounds should not encroach on agricultural land or plots designated for public sale. Priority is given to locations near union parishad offices or recognized growth centers. The land must be in a single, contiguous plot, centrally located within the union to ensure accessibility for residents.
Local public representatives have been urged to assist in the identification and development process by coordinating with UNOs. Prime Minister Tanwirur Rahman has stressed the urgency of the initiative, directing officials on October 8 to establish at least 1,000 playgrounds within two months in fulfillment of an election manifesto promise.
The planned facilities will be open playgrounds designed for football, cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, and traditional local games. Features will include boundary fencing, tree planting, walkways, as well as children’s play areas and parks adjacent to each playground. Management and maintenance committees are expected to be formed through collaboration among upazila administrations, local government bodies, and members of parliament to ensure proper upkeep.
In addition to playground construction, the government intends to appoint sports officers in every upazila to bolster sports management and development at the grassroots level. Plans are also underway to build international-standard sports villages in 10 regions during the next fiscal year, encompassing the eight divisions along with Faridpur and Cumilla. These facilities will feature modern indoor stadiums, swimming pools, and training and competition venues for archery, shooting, football, athletics, and other sports disciplines.