Bangladesh’s long-cherished dream of a state-of-the-art sports facility is finally taking shape in Trishal, Mymensingh, where the foundation stone for the country’s first Olympic Complex has been officially laid. The ceremony on Sunday afternoon was led by General Waker-uz-Zaman, Chief of Army Staff and President of the Bangladesh Olympic Association, marking the beginning of construction on the 173-acre site, just 86 kilometres from Dhaka and 26 kilometres from Mymensingh city.
The Olympic Complex initiative has been under discussion for several years but faced repeated delays due to a lack of suitable land. Through the dedicated efforts of General Waker-uz-Zaman, the project will now be built on army-owned land, with an additional 9 acres purchased by the army for access and supporting facilities.
During the ceremony, Project Director Colonel Md. Kutubuddin Khan presented the master plan, highlighting a modern facility that will host 33 sports. The complex will include three indoor stadiums, football, hockey, tennis, and athletics facilities, residential quarters, a media centre, parking, and a shooting range. While cricket, golf, and rowing are not currently included, the Olympic Association President has expressed interest in adding cricket facilities in future revisions of the plan.
The 24th Brigade of the Bangladesh Army will supervise construction, working alongside domestic engineering firm Bittir and US-based firm DLA, which has extensive experience in designing and building major stadiums worldwide. Architect Iqbal Habib of Bittir noted, “We do not have experience constructing indoor stadiums, so we have engaged the foreign company as consultants.” The master plan also prioritises environmental preservation, recognising the biodiversity-rich location of Trishal.
Although the complex is on army land, it will be operated by the Bangladesh Olympic Association. A memorandum of understanding will formalise usage rights. General Waker-uz-Zaman stated, “International tournaments will be held here, and national competitions will also take place. At other times, the army will conduct training. An MoU between the Olympic Association and the army will be signed soon.”
Addressing attendees, General Waker-uz-Zaman emphasised the national significance of the project: “We have dreamed of an Olympic Complex for many years. We explored several locations, but the project was never realised. We decided to situate it beside the Army Training School, which will benefit sports and allow better supervision. At the national level, this facility will make a significant contribution to sports development in the country. Work has started and will be completed in due course. This will be a landmark achievement for the nation. The complex will become an international-standard venue, capable of hosting major events like the Asian Games. Together, we aim to create an Olympic Village. We want to see sports advance in the country, the younger generation benefit, and a healthier society emerge.”
Other speakers at the event included Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Jobaidur Rahman Rana, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Olympic Association; and Project Director Colonel Kutub Uddin Khan. Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam highlighted the project’s long-term impact: “No major sports facility has been built since the 1990s. This complex is a dream for us and will serve as a visionary facility for future generations.”
The initial phase is estimated to cost around BDT 2,000 crore, with the full project potentially requiring BDT 34,000–38,000 crore over five to six years, supported by the government, sports ministry, and international partners.
The government, sports ministry, and international partners, including Gulf nations and the International Olympic Committee, are expected to support the project.
