The National Stadium compound was not like every day, on Monday. The mobile shops were not much in sight. Illegal parking was also not seen that way. There was no pile of goods on the walking path in front of the shops allotted to the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium, Volleyball and Kabaddi Stadiums, Swimming pool market adjacent to the National Stadium.
Behind the sudden, unknown scene was the operation of the mobile court of the National Sports Council (NSC) under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Which is the first ever drive in the NSC history.
This operation of the mobile court was also just to raise awareness. They have warned the shop owners and employees.
However, in the future, such operations will be completely unannounced, and punishment will be given for destroying the environment of the stadium. This was said by the deputy secretary (Planning-2) of the ministry leading the operation, Umme Ishrat. She has been given magisterial powers for this work since 22 October 2024.
The heart of the country`s sports arena is the Dhaka Stadium Complex. However, if you come to this area at other times, you will not think of it as a sports facility. Even after seven decades, a sports-friendly environment has not been developed here. The NSC has also always been indifferent to this. Although late, they have become active this time.
As a result, it is hoped that the environment of this important sports facility will be better than before. This is what the deputy secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Umme Ishrat, who led the operation, hopes, `Our operation was unscheduled. However, in any case, the traders have been careful in advance and have removed their goods. I see this as a positive. Such operations have never been carried out in the past years. Therefore, we have not taken any strict action as it is the first time. Rather, the traders have been warned. However, such operations will continue, and they will be sudden operations. If irregularities are found at that time, we will take legal action.` After finding the existence of goods in an unspecified place, the mobile court ordered their immediate removal and warned of seizure of the goods and fines if it is repeated in the future.
Ishrat also said, `This step has been taken to ensure that the stadium area visitors and sports enthusiasts can travel in a beautiful environment, which will continue in the future for a sustainable trade climate.`
Apart from Israt, at that time, NSC Secretary Md. Aminul Islam and two directors and other officials were also present. There are old allegations that officials and employees at various levels of the NSC are involved in illegally occupying more space than the designated area of the shops.
NSC Secretary Md. Aminul Islam said in this regard, `If anyone from the NSC is involved in this matter or if it is proven, punishment will be given according to the NSC’s service rules.`
The Magistrate had long ago applied to the Ministry of Public Administration for powers to restore a sports-friendly environment in the stadium. After various procedures and correspondence, four officials from the NSC and the ministry were given the power to run mobile courts in the stadium area.
However, as three of the four were transferred to other ministries and departments, Umme Israt conducted the drive alone on Monday because she was engaged in two government trainings before. It is reported that the magisterial powers of officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports will be increased in the future.
Talking to the Shop Owner Society and various traders in the stadium area, traders were too happy and enthusiastic about this cleaning drive. They hope this kind of initiative helps recover the trade environment. They urge NCS to solve the cleaners and washrooms lacking and create a neat and clean stadium area without drunk and vagabond people.
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