The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has pledged to construct at least one playground between every two wards in Dhaka city, aiming to provide children with opportunities for both mental and physical development.
Tarique Rahman, the party’s acting chairman, made the announcement on Sunday during an award-giving ceremony of the Late Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Trust Cricket Tournament 2024, held at a hotel in London.
“There are no playgrounds for children in Dhaka city. How can they participate in sports without access to open fields?” he questioned. He further noted that due to the lack of outdoor recreational spaces, children are increasingly becoming addicted to digital devices, which poses a risk to their holistic development.
Tarique, the elder brother of late Koko, said if the BNP is given the opportunity to form the next government, it will reform the national school curriculum to make sports a compulsory component. “Sport is essential for mental growth,” he asserted.
Referring to the country’s existing sports infrastructure, he highlighted the presence of four branches of the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) – the national sports institute.
“None of the BKSP branches are fully functional. We must prioritise revitalising them and initiate a structured talent identification programme to showcase promising athletes at the national level,” he said.
He also shared plans to establish a systematic approach for scouting talented young sportspersons across the country.
“The state will invest in those children who demonstrate potential, so they may bring glory to Bangladesh,” he added.
On the political front, the BNP leader reiterated the party’s readiness for elections.
“We want the election to be held within December. However, if the interim government holds the national election within their declared timeframe—between December 2025 and July 2026—we will aim to develop a roadmap for participation in the 2032 Olympics,” he said.
Reflecting on the broader national context, Tarique said, “The people of this country have protested, struggled, and sacrificed their lives in pursuit of democracy. Now, it is time to focus on rebuilding the nation.”
He expressed hope for consensus among political parties on key issues such as raising the standard of sports to the international level, ensuring national security, providing employment opportunities, upholding the rule of law, and delivering accessible healthcare to all.
Paying tribute to his late brother, Arafat Rahman Koko, Tarique said he was proud of Koko’s contributions as a sports organiser. Koko, who passed away in 2015, played a notable role in revitalising cricket infrastructure and youth sports programmes during his time.