Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin today spoke at the Riya Gop Women's Sports Complex Ground in Dhanmondi. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Oct 30, 2025 (BSS) - Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin today underscored the urgent need to preserve and create playgrounds for children and youth to protect them from the growing menace of drugs and to ensure their healthy physical and mental growth.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the 6th National Women's Baseball Championship at the Riya Gop Women's Sports Complex Ground in Dhanmondi.

"Once this field seemed huge to me, but now it feels small. Many buildings have been constructed, but we must ensure open spaces where our children can play and stay away from the deadly trap of drugs," Adviser Bashir Uddin said.

Emphasizing the broader social value of sports, he added, "Through sports, our youth and children learn leadership, resilience, and perseverance. Sports teach us to embrace both victory and defeat with grace. Above all, sports are a wonderful gift from the Creator, offering one of the best ways to enjoy life."

Additional IGP (Admin) of Bangladesh Police and President of the Bangladesh Police Baseball Club Kazi Mohammad Fazlul Karim attended the opening ceremony as special guest, while Bangladesh Baseball-Softball Association President Mohammad Afzalur Rahman presided over the event.

A total of 12 teams are competing in this year's championship organized by the Bangladesh Baseball-Softball Association.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional IGP Kazi Mohammad Fazlul Karim said, "The journey of becoming a meaningful human being starts in childhood, and sports are a key part of that process. Along with family and education, the environment, including sports, plays a vital role in shaping character."

He added that active participation in sports can help prevent crime and reduce social irregularities.

Senior Vice-President of the association Professor Dr. Anupam Hossain, Director of Sports and Culture at Bangladesh Ansar and VDP and Tournament Committee President Mirza Sifat-e-Khoda, among others, were present.

Delivering the welcome address, Mirza Sifat-e-Khoda said baseball and softball remain relatively new in Bangladesh. "I believe today's event will help introduce these games nationwide and make them more popular," she said.

"This tournament highlights women's participation, and I am confident that with discipline, teamwork, and true sportsmanship, we will display our talent and spirit with honor and pride," she added.

In his remarks, Dr. Anupam Hossain said the new committee has been working to expand baseball activities to 20 districts across eight divisions, with a goal of engaging 5,000 new children in the sport by 2026.

The men's division tournament will be held in the first week of next month, he added.

Presiding over the ceremony, Association President Mohammad Afzalur Rahman thanked all those involved in organizing the championship and urged the umpires to conduct the matches with fairness and neutrality.