Published: 10:34 AM, 05 April 2026
Cox's Bazar to be developed as int'l sports hub: Aminul
Talking to reporters after visiting the dilapidated condition of the proposed cricket stadium on Friday, the State Minister said the government has undertaken a master plan to promote international-standard sports tourism here by utilizing the natural beauty of the tourist city. -Ministry
State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque has said the government has a plan to develop Cox's Bazar as a modern sports hub to facilitate its tourism.
Talking to reporters after visiting the dilapidated condition of the proposed cricket stadium on Friday, the State Minister said the government has undertaken a master plan to promote international-standard sports tourism here by utilizing the natural beauty of the tourist city.
Aminul said the present condition of the stadium is very fragile. Though the condition of the field is somewhat acceptable, but it lacks necessary facilities for players and tourists, he said.
The state minster said work of the stadium project has not progressed as expected level in the past. The present government wants to start the work again, he said.
Aminul said his government is planning to build a complete sports complex or sports village with facilities for all types of sports, including football and indoor games.
Assuring to resolve the technical and administrative bottlenecks of the project, Aminul Haque said immediate steps would be taken in this regard.
Aminul hoped that with proper planning it would be possible to establish Cox's Bazar as one of the most attractive sports tourism spots in the world.
Earlier, the eighth National Surfing Competition has begun in a festive atmosphere on the Laboni Point beach of the tourist city in Cox's Bazar today (Friday).
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque formally inaugurated the competition as the chief guest.
The event, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan, was attended as special guests by lawmaker from Cox's Bazar-3 constituency Lutfar Rahman Kajal, Bangladesh Surfing Association President Major General (Retd) AKM Mujahid Uddin, its senior vice president Khandaker Saiful Islam, Head of sponsor organisation Cute Kazi Razib Uddin Ahmed Chapal and Surfing Association General Secretary Mowazzem Hossain.
Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, the State Minister said, "To advance the country's sports, the government is not limited to just cricket or football, but is working relentlessly to develop all types of sports, including surfing. We want to give equal importance to surfing. I urge the organisers to keep this tournament going all year round."
He said that many players have already been brought under the salary structure and necessary assistance is also being provided to financially weak federations.
Aminul also assured that if surfers perform well at the international level, initiatives would be taken to bring them under the salary structure in the future.
More than a hundred surfers are participating in this competition in three categories. The concerned hope that this event would not only make surfing more popular and competitive in the country, but also strengthen Bangladesh's position in the international arena.
