In a significant move to promote and expand football across the country, the National Sports Council (NSC) has handed over seven district stadiums to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on a 25-year lease.
Earlier, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced the allocation of Nilphamari Stadium exclusively for football. On September 4, the stadium was officially placed under BFF’s control. Most recently, on September 9, NSC approved the lease of Gazipur Shaheed Barkat Stadium, Munshiganj Birshreshtha Shaheed Lt. Motiur Rahman Stadium, Rajshahi Muktijuddho Smriti Stadium, Noakhali Shaheed Bhulu Stadium, Cox’s Bazar Birshreshtha Ruhul Amin Stadium, and Sylhet District Stadium.
Under the agreement, BFF will bear all expenses, including maintenance, electricity bills, and land taxes, while submitting regular income and expenditure reports to NSC. The council has also retained the right to cancel the lease with three months’ notice if necessary.
BFF officials said that long-term leases are crucial for upgrading the stadiums with funding from FIFA and AFC, as these international bodies do not invest unless the facilities are secured for at least 25 years. They believe this decision will significantly boost football development in Bangladesh.
Previously, the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram was also leased to BFF for 25 years. However, local athletes and sports organizers protested, and BFF has yet to take complete control of the venue. This has sparked concerns about how soon the seven newly allocated stadiums will come fully under BFF’s management.
However, local sports communities have also expressed worry that exclusive control of these stadiums by football authorities could limit opportunities for other sports such as hockey, kabaddi, athletics, volleyball, and kho kho — all of which are regularly held at district stadiums.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
