Trade fair begins on playground again in Sylhet
Sylhet International Trade Fair (SITF) began on the city's Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium in Shahi Eidgah area yesterday.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen inaugurated the month-long event organised by Sylhet Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI).
Occupying a playground to organise the trade fair has been criticised by the city dwellers; but neither the organisers nor the administration has taken the matter seriously.
Amid criticism, SMCCI got permission for the field from National Sports Council on December 31 last year and the Ministry of Commerce permitted to hold the fair on February 2 this year.
Sylhet Sadar upazila playground was upgraded to Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium in 2018 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 21, 2018.
Since the day of inauguration, not a single notable sporting event was organised at the stadium; but two SITFs were held -- one in October 2018 and another on March 2019.
So far, The Daily Star has published three reports over the issue – "Fair playing foul" on November 11, 2017, "Fair playing foul again" on October 22, 2018 and "Playground or fair ground" on February 14 last year.
SMCCI President Afzal Rashid Choudhury said, "We understand that arranging trade fair on playground is not fair enough, but we are bound to organise trade fair regularly as per the ministry's order."
"We urged the administration to find alternative place for fair," he said.
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