Widening the playing field

Image: impressonable-minds

The internet is abound with stories of how sports can, and is, changing the world. How it helps build physical fitness and traits of teamwork, respect, and resilience. How it has convinced disputing nations to reconcile over international tournaments (Armenia and Turkey in 2008) and historic table tennis matches (China and America in 1971) throughout history. 

Cutting through these tales of divine athletic intervention, an article on The Atlantic titled "Can Sports Bring World Peace?" counters that, "When three men on their way to a soccer tournament are gunned down by separatists in a country … we learn a different lesson. If sports are really going to save the world, we need those kids who are now shooting baskets and goals in Israel and Ireland and South Africa to become not athletes but political leaders. And they'd better grow up fast." This sheds light on the important point that, in the current social climate of militant threats and gang violence in Bangladesh, sports must be used as an antidote to negative forces; not as a cure when it is too late. This is limited by the lack of facilities that can encourage involvement in sports across a nation predominated by devout sports lovers. 

Even a few years ago, Dhaka and most other cities in Bangladesh had a fair share of play grounds. Almost every residential area had its own park. Even in the ones that didn't, the abundance of free open spaces encouraged people, especially the young, to play outdoors on a daily basis. Cricket, football, and basketball weren't tethered within the confines of formal sports tournaments; they were a natural part of daily life. A lot of this has changed with the spread of concrete.   

The World Health Organisation recommends at least nine square metres of open green space per urban dweller. But a 2015 survey on "Parks and Playgrounds in Dhaka" conducted by the Work For Better Bangladesh Trust cites that there are only between 0.052 to 0.5 square metres of green space square per capita. As the survey elaborates, much of this is a result of open spaces being taken up by public and private groups for commercial purposes. Most of them have been clogged up with construction of community centre buildings. Among them, Tikatuli Park, Uttara Sector One Park, Shahid Park, and Azimpur Park have been completely replaced, with a number of other parks losing chunks of their land to encroachment. 

"In order for sports to truly alleviate our society, however, we need even more spaces where our young can play in safe environments, and also receive training to fulfil their athletic dreams.

Interestingly, the survey also reveals that 68 percent of the respondents preferred to visit their neighbourhood parks. The 31 percent that didn't, mentioned their reluctance over security issues and cleanliness of the parks. Disproving the idea that people these days are too busy to make use of playgrounds and open spaces, these figures highlight the actual issue – that what little interest in outdoor activities remains within us is choked by the threat of violence on the streets and the way that our playgrounds are polluted. For a nation that forgets class, boundary, and work responsibilities in wild celebration of cricket victories, these issues are disheartening. 

The lack of playgrounds, and more importantly, a healthy environment in outdoor spaces, limits how many people are able to play outdoors. The proof lies in the web of badminton nets, and the impromptu cricket matches, played by kids on the streets at the risk of getting run over by speeding cars. Meanwhile, there is still a cultural disapproval of girls going out to fields to play sports. While some segments of the society may indeed be adopting more progressive attitudes, the staggering number of assaults on the streets is nonetheless a very real threat to girls' safety in public playgrounds. The unwarranted harassment faced by players of the AFC Women's U-16 Championship, on their way back from impressive victories over Iran and UAE, gives an idea of the social barriers girls face especially if they want to play a sport. Gang violence and incidents of kidnapping have made it increasingly unsafe for children to play in the streets; so much so that the culture of sending children out to play every evening has all but died. And we can't blame all of it on technology and the popularity of video games. 

In this absence of open public spaces, it is crucial that athletics be given higher priority in academic programmes so that students are able to play within safe environments. More importantly, however, the prospect of sports needs to be made more appealing to attract children who are shy of physical exertion. Yes, sports are beneficial, but they are above all fun. It should be that way not only for naturally-gifted players, but also the children with social anxiety, weight disorders, and more serious illnesses. 

The United Nations announced April 6 as "The International Day of Sports for Development and Peace" in 2013 to highlight how sports instils virtues of tolerance and camaraderie among its players and supporters, and also makes possible a healthier lifestyle. In context of our country, particularly in light of recent events, we can expect sports to attract the youth away from the seductive forces of militancy and drug abuse. As a post on the National Institute of Drug Abuse website explains, "Although people tend to think of exercise as good for the body, it also benefits the brain. As it invigorates the heart and lungs, it stimulates the brain's reward pathway and heightens mood-boosting neurochemicals." The article further elaborates that physical activity also builds teens' resistance to addiction, and may provide relief to mild depression. There is also the social factor – positive influence from coaches and team mates is likely to steer people away from harmful practices, if only for the betterment of the team. 

Realising the strength of these benefits even among adults, more and more corporations can be seen organising sports tournaments for their staff these days. It helps build team work and also provides more positive incentives for work. A happier, healthier workforce that translates into improved productivity. 

The Prime Minister, while awarding the winners of local sports tournaments at the Bangabandhu National Stadium last month, announced that, "We want Bangladesh to progress further in games and sports where the boys and girls equally perform ... we'll take measures to create more scopes in the field." The government's plan to open a playground for special needs children near the Manik Mia Avenue is a particularly laudable step towards the development of inclusive sports facilities in the country. In order for sports to truly alleviate our society, however, we need even more spaces where our young can play in safe environments, and also receive training to fulfil their athletic dreams. 

The writer is a member of the Editorial Department, The Daily Star.