TK 2,211.95cr proposed budget for development of youth, Sports

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday proposed an allocation of Taka 2,211 crore 95 lakh for 2024-25 fiscal year (FY), which was Taka 688 crore 60 lakh and 34 thousand more than the current fiscal year, for the development of Youth and Sports.

"I propose an allocation of Tk 2,211.95 crore in the next year's budget for the development of youth and sports," he said while placing the budget for the next fiscal year, reports BSS.

In the proposed budget, Taka 1,234 crore 8 lakh has been allocated for the development works while 977 crore 87 lakh allocated for operating issues.

The finance minister said among the projects that will be implemented under the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the FY 2024-25 are the further development of Bangabandhu National Stadium (first revised) project, the second phase project of Sheikh Russell Mini Stadium at the upazila level, upgrading the Barishal Shahid Abdur Rab Serniabat Stadium to international standards and the existing district swimming pool development (first revised) scheme, further development of Ghaznavi stadium in Bhola district, indoor stadium and swimming pool construction project, further development of Sheikh Russell Mini Stadium of Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district and Char Fasson upazila Sheikh Russell Mini Stadium in Bhola District, swimming pool construction project in Gazipur district headquarters, the further development project of Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master Stadium in Gazipur district and Kazi Abul Kashem Stadium of Patuakhali.

Construction of indoor stadium with further development of Chandpur district stadium and swimming pool and construction of indoor stadium and tennis court in Shariatpur district headquarters, land acquisition project for construction of 'Rashtrapati Abdul Hamid Stadium' in Mithamain upazila of Kishoreganj district, land acquisition project for construction of Sheikh Russel Mini sports ground at Pubail police station of Gazipur district.

Mahmood Ali said the government has been constructing and developing various infrastructures including modern stadiums, gymnasiums, and swimming pools, along with providing sports equipment and financial grants to various sports clubs in order to improve the quality of sports and increase pportunities for sports.

Thirteen projects are underway for the construction and development of sports infrastructure in the financial year 2023-24, one of which is the 'Upazila Sheikh Russell Mini Stadium construction project' aimed at encouraging sports at the field level.

In continuation of this, it is proposed to take 20 projects for youth and sports development along with the construction of various sports infrastructure in the next budget.

Besides, with the aim of making skilled players, long-term training is being provided by finding talented players from various departments by searching for sports talent by skilled and experienced coaches.

In addition, regular financial grants and sports materials are provided to sports federations, associations and organisations for organising and participating in domestic and international sports.