SHARIATPUR, Sept 11, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque today said the government plans to develop a playground in every union and construct a mini stadium in each upazila to promote sports at the grassroots level. He said this as chief guest at the grand finale of the Habib Ullah Chowdhury Smriti Football Tournament at the Habib Ullah Degree College playground here. Aminul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was giving the highest priority to the development of sports and that programmes were underway to identify talented players from the grassroots and establish sports as a viable profession. "We have already started programmes to make sports a profession and identify talented players from the grassroots," he said. "Opportunities will be created for talented young athletes from across the country, not just from the capital, to reach the national level." Referring to the large turnout at the football tournament, the state minister said it demonstrated that people across the country remained enthusiastic about football and other sports. Noting that Bangladesh has 4,599 unions, he said initiatives had been taken to ensure sports facilities by preserving a playground in every union. He added that the programme to construct mini stadiums in every upazila was also underway.  

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 11, 2026 (BSS) - Humam Quader Chowdhury, MP, today stressed the need to keep canals and drains clean to protect people from dengue and other health hazards. "Dengue is a major challenge in Bangladesh. To protect people, we must ensure that our canals and drains are kept clean," he said. He made the remarks while taking part in a cleanup campaign at the long-neglected Kulkurmai Canal in Muradnagar under Rangunia Municipality in his constituency. More than 650 volunteers from the organisation BD Clean participated in the campaign. Humam Quader Chowdhury said clean waterways were essential not only for protecting public health but also for enhancing the tourism potential of Rangunia. Praising the volunteers, he said, "The young people of BD Clean represent the best of Bangladesh. They work without seeking financial gain or recognition." Referring to earlier cleanliness initiatives, he said a programme was launched during the election campaign to distribute free dustbins to every union and marketplace. However, many people failed to use them properly despite their availability. Jahirul Islam Rabi, a representative of BD Clean, said the organisation has been conducting cleanliness campaigns since 2016 and currently has teams working in 57 districts and 165 upazilas across the country.