Youth and Sports Secretary Md Mahbub-Ul- Alam -Photo: BSS

 
DHAKA, Aug 19, 2025 (BSS)- The Ministry of Youth and Sports has officially explained about the information of second phase project to construct mini stadiums at the upazila level. 

Youth and Sports Secretary Md Mahbub-Ul- Alam said that the report titled 'Stadium worth TK 51 lakhs was approved to build at a cost of TK 14 cores ' recently published in a newspaper is untrue and factually incomplete.

He explained this at a press conference held at the conference room of Secretariat today. 

The Secretary said that  the report   said though the majority of Advisors objected  but passed the project due to the Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain’s interest” which was recently published in the newspaper and  drawn the attention of the ministry.

It was here by informed that the said report is untrue and factually incomplete and has failed to reflect the real situation of the project. An attempt has been made to mislead the public by publishing false information instead of presenting the real information of the news.    

The Secretary said the actual information is that ‘TK 51 lakhs Stadium’ mentioned in the news is actually  under the  Mini Stadium construction at upazilla level 1st project (131) which average coast was around  TK  53.52 lakh.

This was a limited infrastructure on government private land. The infrastructure included a one-storey pavilion, toilet block, RCC benches and field development.

On the other hand, the current project is “Construction of Mini Stadiums at Upazila Level-2nd Phase (1st revised)” which is being implemented in 123 upazilas with extensive infrastructure, land acquisition and land development and it approved average cost is TK 14.20 crore, which is several times better than the previous one and it is about to expand in scope.

He said the second phase project includes an average land acquisition at a  cost of TK  338.11 lakh   which is payable at Deputy Commissioner, a-three storey  pavilion  building  (70’x40’)  five  steps, a 300-feet long general gallery, (capacity 1000 spectators),  boundary wall,  drainage, connecting road, solar panel,  pavilion of chairs and other modern  amenities which is  quite different  from the design  and budget structure  compared to the first phase.   

The interim government renamed as  'Mini Stadium Project at Upazila Level' instead of  'Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium Construction Project.

The cost of the project has been determined and approved in accordance with the decisions and recommendations of the Planning Commission's Project Evaluation Committee meeting held on May 21 last.

An expenditure review committee was formed comprising members of the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Department, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the relevant project directors, and expert members, based on recommendations the rationality of the expenditure was verified and approval was given.

Regarding the reasons for the increase in project costs, the secretary said, project cost has increased due to land acquisition, expansion of infrastructure, construction of boundary wall and in  addition to drainage system, construction of gallery,   solar panels, and pricing according to the 2022 rate schedule of PWD instead of the 2018 rate schedule.

The secretary said that there is no scope for individual influence or decision-making at any stage of project approval. Such comments damage the professional reputation of those involved in the project. Each project eligible for approval by Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is presented under the chairmanship of the Chief Advisor in the presence of Advisors from the respective ministries and members of the relevant Planning Commission, and is approved after detailed discussions.

“The published news has misrepresented important differences in the project's phased structure, budget, and implementation process, which has confused the public and it has created fear and distrust towards state development activities. We strongly protest against this,” the secretary concluded.