The State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque, has vowed to clear illegal encroachments from the historic Gabtoli playground in Mirpur and restore it for sporting use, following a personal inspection of the 107-year-old ground on Sunday, 19th April 2026.
The ground, located along Mazar Road in Mirpur, holds deep significance for Bangladeshi football. Speaking after his visit, Aminul Haque said: “From Kazi Salahuddin to myself, many of us have played football on this ground. Following the Prime Minister’s directive, a nationwide drive has begun to recover playgrounds occupied by illegal encroachers, both in rural areas and across Dhaka. Every ground will be made suitable for sports for our future generations.”
Local residents say the 1.7-acre ground was endowed 107 years ago by the late Munshi Lal Mia in the name of Mirpur Decision High School and remains the only playground in Ward 10 of the Dhaka-14 constituency.
Allegations have emerged that during the previous government’s tenure, a politically backed individual named Babla illegally occupied the ground during the COVID-19 pandemic, erecting buildings and shops overnight. It is further alleged that, under the influence of then MP Aslam, the land was subsequently leased out for commercial purposes.
The encroachment has had a direct impact on young people in the area. Students from more than ten nearby schools, colleges, madrasas and universities have been deprived of open playing space, with the ground now significantly reduced in size from its original dimensions.
Dhaka North City Corporation administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton visited the site alongside the State Minister and did not mince his words. “We have seen on the ground that over half the space has been taken over,” he said. “The law and courts exist for public welfare. All illegal structures under the city corporation will be removed.”
Milton confirmed that a deadline would be set after consulting local stakeholders, with strict legal action to follow if encroachers failed to vacate. He added that once restored, the ground would remain open not only for sport but also for community and social activities.
Addressing the legal complexities surrounding the site, Aminul Haque noted the existence of a court ruling related to the ground. “Respecting the judiciary, we will follow due legal process to recover a major portion of it,” he said. “No illegal structures will be allowed here. It will remain open for local residents and schoolchildren.”
The government’s commitment to reclaiming the ground has been warmly received by local residents, students and guardians, who have long demanded the removal of all illegal structures and the full restoration of the playground to its original condition.
With the nationwide drive to recover occupied grounds now under way, the Gabtoli playground has become an early test case of the government’s resolve to protect public sporting spaces across the country.
