Sports funds gobbled up!

 
The Ministry of Youth and Sports allocates certain amounts of funds for the growth of sports and resourceful youths across all 64 districts in Bangladesh every year. However, allegations show that the concerned officials every year gobble up the allocated funds and almost not a single penny is spent for the betterment of sports turfs, reliable sources have informed.

Reports have surfaced that the officials concerned withdraw cash from the funds provided by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and on bills and vouchers in the name of various development programs but in reality no progress at all has been made with sports or youth employment or training in almost all cases. This is a vivid reflection of the grim complaints that all the funds allotted by the government are mishandled and plundered. No success stories in sports programs at the grassroots or at upazilas have been authentically reported though funds are being disbursed every year.

Allegedly Sports Directorate Assistant Director Alimuzzaman is one of the individuals whose name glared up several times as one of the most corrupt officials in the Ministry of Youth and Sports. However, Alimuzzaman denied the allegations. Rather he cited the name of former Director ANM Toriqul Islam and blamed him for most of the irregularities and fund misappropriations.

Investigations have reportedly found that the funds distributed for sports enhancement and youth development were not spent for the right purpose. Rather officials belonging to these projects have siphoned off these funds to their personal coffers reportedly. The investigation was conducted by ex Joint Secretary ANM Toriqul Islam.

Funds for different districts were issued for boosting sports like swimming, football, athletics, volleyball etcetera but no advancement at all could be acquired in these sports allegedly.

Officials whose names have been reported in the alleged fund embezzlements are Alimuzzaman, Ferdaus Alam, Azim Hossain, Jahangir Hossain, Nazim Uddin Bhuiyan, Tanveer Hossain, Masud Rana, Abdul Bari, Al Amin, Akteruzzaman Reza Talukder and another few employees belonging to sports authorities. Relevant sources have stated that inquiries are going on to identify the true perpetrators in this corrupt syndicate.