The Bangladesh Football Federation has taken responsibility for the management, maintenance and security of two major stadiums after signing a memorandum of understanding with the National Sports Council.
The agreement covers Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur and Sylhet District Stadium. The NSC will remain involved in approving use of the venues by other sports federations.
BFF president Tabith Awal said the federation would keep both stadiums open to other sports while taking responsibility for their supervision and security.
“We want to do this kind of work. We will complete the work with funds from FIFA, AFC and sponsors and do it with the permission of the NSC,” Tabith said at the MoU signing ceremony.
He also stressed the need to make the arrangement clear to avoid disputes over the use of the venues.
“Let the use of the stadiums be open to all federations. The Bangladesh Football Federation will look after the supervision and security arrangements,” he said.
Tabith added that BFF would help other federations whenever the NSC gives them permission to use either stadium.
“These stadiums are for all sports, not for one particular federation,” he said.
The BFF president hopes successful management of the two venues will encourage the NSC to consider similar arrangements with other sports federations.
Youth and Sports State Minister and NSC chairman Aminul Haque said the government had started a fresh programme to improve sporting facilities across the country.
“We have started from zero,” Aminul said.
He said the NSC had already prepared a design and action plan to improve the environment at the country’s stadiums.
The plan covers venues from Dhaka’s main stadiums to Kamalapur and Sylhet, with the aim of creating more suitable facilities for athletes and sports organisers.
“We are focusing on bringing back a sports-friendly environment at the stadiums across the country so that players and sports organisers can feel comfortable,” Aminul said.
The authorities also discussed installing hybrid grass at Sylhet District Stadium.
Aminul said work to improve stadium facilities had already started, although completing the wider programme would take time.
