Fair playing foul again

The law clearly states it's illegal and there were protests by locals, yet the Sadar upazila sports field, now known as Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium in Sylhet's Shahi Eidgah area is once again being set up as a venue for Sylhet International Trade Fair 2018, denying children and youths their right to play.

In March last year, the field was declared Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium by the National Sports Council (NSC), ushering development work on the field, which was finished in the middle of this year.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday inaugurated 66 upazila-level mini stadiums -- named after Sheikh Russel -- including the Sadar upazila sports field in Sylhet, through a videoconference.

Still, work for setting up the fair, scheduled to be held next month, is continuing in full swing. This has been a recurring theme for the ground, which is used more often for trade fairs and cattle markets than serving as a sporting ground.

The Daily Star also published a report headlined, “Fair playing foul”, on November 11, 2017, highlighting the issue.

Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is organising the fair, after the field was allotted to them by the district administration.

Last year, it was arranged by Sylhet Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI).

The field used to be under the supervision of Sadar upazila but after it was declared Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium, Sylhet District Administration (SDA) became its custodian.

According to organisers, SDA allotted the field to them following an approval letter from the Ministry of Commerce, recommended by the Ministry of Finance.

But the act to protect open fields, gardens and natural water reservoirs says in a bid to protecting open fields, gardens and natural water reservoirs, lease or rent for any other purpose is completely prohibited (section 5, act 36, 2000). A person may face up to 5 years in jail or Tk 50,000 fine or both for breaking the law.

During a recent visit, this correspondent saw that the organisers have put up a huge banner, mentioning that the fair would start soon. Bamboo stalls were being set up all around the field and other structures were being erected in the middle.

The newspaper also spoke to a few locals in the area, who seemed agitated by the recurring decision of the authorities concerned.

Mobarok Hossain, a businessman, said, “The field was developed for sports. Just last month, a cricket tournament was held here. But now, they have stopped all sporting activities and started messing it up.”

“We protested then and are doing so now, but all our protests fell on deaf ears,” he said.

Another local, Mohammad Mizan, said, “At least we are lucky that they [authorities] did not allot the field for cattle market this year.”

Abdul Karim Kim, secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, Sylhet, said, “Instead of holding the fair on the field, the organisers can arrange it inside a convention hall or community centre.”

Kim, also the coordinator of Concerned Citizens' Movement, said, “Also, there are unused open land in the city, where such events can be held.”

Last December, when the field was allotted to SMCCI by Sadar upazila authorities, Ashfaqe Ahmed, chairman of Sylhet Sadar upazila, had said it would be for the last time, and after completing the development works on the field, it would not be allotted for such purposes again.

Contacted, Ashfaqe, also vice-president of Sylhet district unit of Awami League, said, “The field in now in possession of district administration, not Sadar upazila. They gave permission to SCCI to hold the fair.”

Shandip Kumar Singha, additional deputy commissioner (general) of Sylhet, said the administration allotted the field as the ministry concerned permitted.

He added, “We know there are laws about not leasing out any playing field for other purposes, but the ministry must know the law better. Since they gave the permission, we have allotted it.”

Shipar Ahmed, president of SCCI, who is organising the fair, denied acknowledgement of any such law.

“As far I know the rule only applies to school grounds. But even if there is one, the administration or the ministry should know better. We are organising the fair as per their permission,” he said.

NATIONAL SPORTS COUNCIL

NSC is developing a total of 131 fields as Sheikh Russel Mini Stadiums and has already completed development works of half of them, including the one in Sylhet Sadar.

According to NSC, these open fields are to be used for sporting purposes only, and will be open for all to play.

NSC claimed to have already informed all responsible authorities not to lease these fields for any other purpose.