Where urban planners keep asserting that open green spaces in the heart of an urban sprawl provide the much needed lung space for its residents, playgrounds in Chittagong city are fast disappearing due to multifarious reasons such as encroachment, unplanned urbanisation, business-driven mentality, and lack of proper maintenance. We are ruining the childhood of our children by limiting their opportunities to only indoor games,” lamented Prof Khan, also general secretary of Chittagong Mohanagar Krira Sangstha (Chittagong city sports organisation). But urban kids are being deprived of sporting opportunities both at schools and at their neighbourhoods as open spaces are rapidly disappearing in the face of urbanisation. The master plan for Chittagong city, formulated in 1995, too suggested designating 10% of the city as open spaces. “The existing playgrounds remain occupied with fairs and exhibitions, thus depriving children of sporting activities.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 18, 2017 06:56 UTC