From sports ground to alleged drug den

Decay, neglect and drug allegations haunt Moulvibazar’s Saifur Rahman Stadium

Built at a cost of Tk 4.86 crore, M Saifur Rahman Stadium in Moulvibazar was envisioned as a centre for sports and recreation. 

Named after former finance minister Saifur Rahman, it was inaugurated by him in his hometown in April 2005. Today, poor maintenance, deteriorating infrastructure and allegations of drug-related activities after dark have left the facility struggling to serve its purpose.

YOUNG ATHLETES LOSE THEIR TRAINING GROUND

The stadium has a one-tier gallery, a District Sports Association (DSA) office, dressing rooms and a playing field. Project information puts its area at 1,800 square feet. Four Dhaka-based firms handled construction in four phases, with work extending beyond the original schedule.

The playing surface has become hard and uneven, raising injury concerns. No comprehensive renovation has reportedly been undertaken in years. Plaster is peeling, rusted iron rods are exposed near the western pavilion gallery, and soil erosion beneath the northeastern gallery has left a large hole. Fencing and collapsible gates are damaged, while sections of the boundary wall have collapsed.

Weeds and grass have overrun the grounds, rubbish piles up around the pavilion and washrooms, and cattle and goats graze on the field. Only a small, net-enclosed paved area in the south remains available for cricket practice.

Ali Hossain, who trains there for lack of an alternative, said the stadium had lost its former atmosphere. “There was a time when the stadium was full of excitement during cricket and football matches, but that scene has changed completely. The pavilion and washrooms have turned into dumping grounds and are choked with weeds,” he said, adding that the lack of facilities was discouraging aspiring athletes.

Imran Hossain, a young footballer from Chandnighat in Moulvibazar Sadar upazila, said the hard ground, overgrown grass, grazing livestock and lack of drinking water made regular practice difficult.

ALLEGATIONS OF DRUG USE AFTER DARK

Residents allege that groups gather in secluded corners of the stadium after sunset to consume and sell cannabis, Yaba and Phensedyl. Claims of theft and mugging have also discouraged people from visiting after dark.

“We cannot take our children to the grounds because we fear what might happen. The stadium is no longer a place for sports; it has turned into a marketplace for drugs,” said Sanaullah, a Saudi expatriate, adding that those protesting against the alleged activities faced counter-threats. Residents have called for regular police raids and stronger action.

Liakat Ali, a retired army officer living nearby, said the activities had persisted for years after dusk. “Even during the day, 50 to 100 players can be seen here; however, they leave before evening sets in. Once the stadium becomes deserted, these illicit activities take over,” he said.

A NATIONAL PROBLEM OF MAINTENANCE

The 18,000-capacity stadium reflects wider concerns over public sports infrastructure. The National Sports Council (NSC) has built 63 district stadiums and 125 upazila-level mini stadiums, with work under way on another 201.

In March, The Daily Star reported that a sports facility in Tangail’s Bhuapur upazila had turned into a marketplace, highlighting similar concerns about the upkeep of public grounds.

“We must think about why we build stadiums if there is no process for maintenance. We must think about open grounds rather than structures,” an NSC official said, speaking anonymously.

The NSC reportedly allocated Tk 18 crore for nationwide repairs this year, Tk 4 crore more than in the previous fiscal year. However, much of the funding goes towards upgrading venues for international events. DSAs receive only Tk 3 lakh to Tk 4 lakh annually, which must also cover office maintenance, leaving little scope for major repairs.

AUTHORITIES ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED FOR RENOVATION

Syed Sipon, a stadium office assistant, said only two temporary staff members were responsible for upkeep and that a grass-cutting machine had been stolen.

Hanif Mohammad Khan Niyaz, member secretary of the Moulvibazar DSA, said the stadium urgently needed renovation and modernisation, adding that the association had informed the local MP.

Monwar Ahmed Rahman, a Bangladesh Cricket Board councillor, said some repairs had been carried out and the gates were now kept locked following earlier thefts. He said the stadium could host national and divisional competitions if its playing field, galleries and dressing rooms were renovated. Stolen electrical fittings and livestock entering the grounds remained concerns.

Deputy Commissioner Touhiduzzaman Pavel cited budget constraints as a barrier to improvements. Although his office had received no formal complaints about alleged drug activities, he said a team would investigate and relevant drug-prevention authorities could be involved.

BUILDING STADIUMS IS NOT ENOUGH

An NSC project report describes sports as vital to health, vigour, strength, discipline and character. Yet the stadium’s deteriorating condition raises questions about whether public investment is delivering those benefits.

Without sustained maintenance, effective oversight and action on residents’ concerns, the facility risks remaining underused rather than serving athletes and the wider community. The broader question is whether Bangladesh needs more sports grounds or better use of the facilities it has already built.