Thursday, December 12, 2024

Businessmen to grab sports

Mayor, environmentalists decry bid to take over Dhanmondi public playground
A limited company of powerful businessmen will soon take over Dhanmondi playground, earmarked in the city’s master plan as a common field, to build there a mini stadium with exclusive sports facilities much to the chagrin of local residents.
Dhanmondi Club, now a limited company, has been named after Sheikh Jamal, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s slain brother, said sources.
Noted environmentalists denounced the move and said the playground is a public property, which will now serve the business interest of a group of affluent people.
During the military rule of Ershad, Public Works Department (PWD), the official custodian of the playground, designated Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) to maintain it.
The playground, however, has been under the control of Dhanmondi Club since 1962 without any legal authorisation of the authorities concerned.
PWD division-2 (Dhanmondi) executive engineer Abdul Kader Chowdhury said there is no scope for a public playground to be used for any commercial purposes.
“Dhanmondi is a residential area and I think no authorities will give approval to a plan for a stadium in a residential area,” he said.
Such a stadium will just destroy the residential character of the area with the onrush of people and vehicles, he said, adding: “A stadium in our country invariably means hundreds of shops and other commercial establishments.
DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka said, “A limited company does not have any mandate or scope to convert a playground the way it was planned.”
The company will have an eleven-member executive body and a governing body, which include Bashundhara Group chairman Shah Alam, Nitol Group Chairman Abdul Matlub Ahmed, and Rupayan Group chairman LA Mukul, said Kader, president of the limited company.
Partex Group Chairman MA Hashem’s son Shawkat Aziz Rasel will be a key member of the executive committee.
“We have already obtained formal consent of the head of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust Sheikh Hasina for giving a name to the club,” said Kader.
Kader, former football in-charge of Abahani Club Limited and Muktijoddha Club, said it is a modern-day concept to turn a sports club into a limited company and we will follow the law while taking over the playground.”
The club members will be entitled to use the facilities but local football and cricket teams will also be able to use it as a practice ground, he said.
Immediately after the Eid vacation the renovation to the ground will begin, he said.
The club was formed in the pattern of Dhaka Club Limited, Gulshan Club Limited and Uttara Club Limited,” said Kader, “The affluent businessmen included in the governing body will provide with the fund.”
Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, a permanent Dhanmondi resident and president of environmentalist movement Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, said, “A certain quarter is exploiting the sentiment and name of the prime minister’s family to extract business benefit.”
It is a common public property and should not be turned into a private zone, said Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, an old resident of Dhanmondi and head of a high-level advisory committee of DCC on development of parks and playgrounds.
Dr Shahdeen Malik, a Supreme Court lawyer and a permanent resident of Dhanmondi, said it has to be resolved first on what legal ground a limited company will take over a public playground.
Even if the government allows it, he said, “It must be done through a public hearing.”
It will be a violation of the wetland and open spaces conservation act made by the past Awami League government, said Mubasshar Hussein, president of Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB).

Courtesy of The Daily Star

Related News

Six Seasons Hotel offers Chinese special BBQ buffet with B1G3 offer till October 31

City Desk : dhakamirror.com Six Seasons Hotel is excited to announce the BBQ buffet dinner – Chinese special! at its stunning rooftop restaurant, Sky Pool. This exclusive dining experience, complete with panoramic lake views, will be available until October 31, 2024. Perfect for those seeking the best buffet in Gulshan, this dinner also includes an ... Read more

ACI Motors enthrals Ctg Motor Fest with Yamaha super bikes

City Desk : dhakamirror.com ACI Motors Limited showcased their spectacular arrangement with a raft of events at the “7th Chattogram Motor Fest 2024” at GEC Convention Hall in the port city, according to a press release. The events were divided into bike display and touch and feel experience activities. Of the events, the automobile company ... Read more

17th Dhaka Motor Show begins in Purbachal

City Desk : dhakamirror.com The 17th edition of the Dhaka Motor Show kicked off at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) in Purbachal area today. Automotive manufacturers of over 175 companies from 17 countries, including Japan, India, China, Malaysia, South Korea and the USA, are showcasing latest cars, bikes and other aftermarket supporting parts ... Read more

Mediterranean food fest to begin at Crowne Plaza Dhaka on May 16

City Desk : dhakamirror.com Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan would arrange a Mediterranean Food Festival for its customers at The Flair, said a press release on Monday. The festival will begin on May 16. The festival will be led by Syrian-born executive chef Mohammad Khawaldeh and will present a rich array of flavors straight from seashores ... Read more

‘Smart School Bus’ era begins in Ctg City

City Desk : dhakamirror.com Students will now have to tap their smart cards to board a smart school bus. This will notify parents of their whereabouts and boarding time instantly. Likewise, a second message will be sent to parents alerting them to the location and time of their child’s drop-off as soon as the students ... Read more

Kaaruj opens exclusive store in Dhanmondi

City Desk : dhakamirror.com Kaaruj, the renowned brand known for its devotion to empowering local artisans and providing eco-friendly products, has celebrated the grand opening of its first-ever exclusive store in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, marking a noteworthy milestone. On Sunday (4 November ), a glittering inauguration ceremony was held at 27 Shaptak Square, Shop L03/13, 2nd ... Read more

Indian food festival at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden

City Desk : dhakamirror.com Radisson Blu Dhaka will take its respective guests on a gastronomic voyage to enjoy the tantalizing flavours of “Indian Food Festival” starting from 21 October to 27 October, beginning from 1830 hours to 2300 hours at Water Garden Brasserie. Dhaka is a city that sees numerous tourists coming from various parts ... Read more

Spanish Food Festival opens at Le Méridien Dhaka

City Desk : dhakamirror.com The Spanish Food Festival has inaugurated, and Le Mridien Dhaka, one of the city’s top 5-star hotels and a brand of Marriott International is pleased to announce it. The Spanish Food Festival promises to deliver an authentic and immersive experience that will bring intriguing tastebuds to the guests. The hotel is ... Read more

Leather products exhibition to begin Oct 12

City Desk : dhakamirror.com The fourth edition of Bangladesh Leather Footwear & Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS-2023) will begin on Thursday (12th October) at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in Dhaka. The international exhibition, from 12-14 October, is going to be jointly organized by the LFMEAB and Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh. The organisers shared ... Read more

Dhaka Regency celebrating local culinary heritage

City Desk : dhakamirror.com To celebrate the local culinary heritage, Dhaka Regency Hotel and Resort has organized a food festival titled “The Local Culinary Heritage of Bangladesh 2023” from October 5 to 30, 2023 at its signature dining outlet, Grandiose Restaurant. ‘The Local Culinary Heritage of Bangladesh 2023’ food festival from 5 October 2023 to ... Read more

Dhaka to remain silent for one minute on 15 October

City Desk : dhakamirror.com The government has decided to observe a minute’s silence in Dhaka city on October 15 from 10:00 to 10:01 a.m. to raise awareness about noise pollution. The ministry of environment, forests and climate change took the decision in an inter-ministerial meeting at the secretariat on Wednesday to prevent noise pollution, according ... Read more

BURGER KING opens new outlet in Mirpur-12

City Desk : dhakamirror.com BURGER KING, a fast-food chain, has opened their ninth outlet in Dhaka. The address is Plot 45, Road 7, Block A, Section 12, Pallabi. Mirpur-12 residents can now indulge in the iconic WHOPPER and choose from a delightful selection of menu items right from the grand opening. The location is set ... Read more

Experience true fun at the new Sundora Kids toy store in Banani

City Desk : dhakamirror.com Sundora Kids, the official retailer of LEGO, Crayola, Haribo, and Elmer’s has opened a new toy store in Banani, Dhaka for kids of all ages as well as adult LEGO enthusiasts. On 24 August, Sundora hosted an opening ceremony that brought together VIP guests and kids ready to unleash their creativity. ... Read more

Café Sao Paulo organises ‘Tris Lasagna Festival’

City Desk : dhakamirror.com The Café Sao Paulo recently organised the ‘Tris Lasagna Festival’ with its Italian Master Chef Valter Belli. The campaign took place at Café Sao Paulo’s Dhanmondi and Banani outlets from 29 to 30 July, reads a press release. The Italian favourite of lasagna that we all know and love originated in ... Read more

RU celebrates 70th anniversary

City Desk : dhakamirror.com The authorities of Rajshahi University celebrated the university’s 70th founding anniversary on Thursday amid enthusiasm and festivity. The university acting vice-chancellor, professor Sultan-ul-Islam inaugurated the day’s events at 10:05am in front of the university administrative building by hoisting the national and the university flags, and releasing pigeons and balloons.

Dhaka Summer Con 2023 to be held on July 12-14 at ICCB

City Desk : dhakamirror.com To celebrate the rising popularity of pop culture in the country, the first-ever Dhaka Summer Con 2023 will be held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital for three days on July 12, 13 and 14. Event management and public relations company MediaQuest Bangladesh is going to organize ... Read more

Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre launches Mediterranean restaurant ‘The Ilish’

City Desk : dhakamirror.com Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre launched a one of a kind Mediterranean restaurant called ‘The ILISH’ on on 18 May. For those with an adventurous palate, this is a great opportunity to find new twists on the familiar feel, as there are only few Mediterranean themed restaurants in Dhaka, says a ... Read more

Week-long Asian food festival kicks off in Chittagong

City Desk : dhakamirror.com A week-long Asian Fusion Food Festival started at Hotel The Peninsula in Chattogram city on Thursday. Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) chairman M Zahirul Alam Dovas inaugurated the food festival at Laguna Restaurant located on the 5th floor of Peninsula Chattogram while general manager of Peninsula Chattogram Sumedha Gunawardene along with invited ... Read more

Chatgaya Food Festival held at The Peninsula Chittagong

City Desk : dhakamirror.com The Peninsula Chittagong desires to offer the diverse Chittagonian foods and textures to foodies in the city at the Chatgaya Food Festivalon from 27 April till 3 May 2023 at Laguna Restaurant. , reads a press release. This would be a great place to enjoy all types of Chittagonian traditional food ... Read more

Kites, fireworks fill Dhaka sky

City Desk : dhakamirror.com Poush Sangkranti, also known as Shakrain, was celebrated in Old Dhaka on Saturday evening.Kite flying, partying, and cuisine marked the Bengali month Poush’s end. Laser light shows, fireworks, and lanterns illuminated winter twilight. Shakrain is Old Dhaka’s traditional celebration. The streets of Sutrapur, Kaltabazar, Shakharibazar, Lalbagh, Faridabad, Tatibazar, Laxmibazar, Narinda, and ... Read more