Basail playground turns water body
The central playground in Basail upazila under the district remains under water for several months in the year, depriving local children and youth of a place to play outdoor games.
Instead of playing outdoor games, the youth and children remain busy gossiping and playing with mobile phones when the playground is under water, locals said.
Moreover, lack of proper entertainment may lead a section of youths to abuse drugs, they added.
During the dry season, the huge playground at the upazila headquarter is abuzz with youths, from the municipal area and outside, holding sports events and tournaments, locals said.
Meetings of political parties and other programmes are also held on the same ground.
However, the ground goes under knee-deep water after a little rain due to lack of proper drainage system they said, adding that it turns into a waist-deep waterbody during the rainy season, stopping all activities for months.
Yusuf Ali of Basail Pashchimpara village, also former captain of Brothers' Union football team in Dhaka, said there are many talented youths in the upazila who can play football at national level, but they do not get the opportunity to reach that level due to lack of a proper playground.
"Although the ground is not suitable, we have to practice on it. However, practice is totally stopped during the rainy season," he said.
The former footballer urged the local administration as well as the public representatives to build a drainage system for the playground immediately for the sake of local sports and development of players.
Basail Upazila Parishad Chairman Kazi Shahidul Islam said the upazila parishad has done some earth work on the playground, although it is under the jurisdiction of the municipal authorities.
However, Basail Municipality Mayor Abdur Rahim said the playground is under the control of the upazila parishad and upazila administration
"The ground will be made suitable for playing games throughout the year if it is brought under control of the municipality," he added.
Basail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamsunnahar Swapna said many official programmes are held at the playground, apart from sports events.
"The playground needs earth filling immediately and a big amount of money is needed for that. However, steps will be taken immediately in this regard," she added.
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