What are the factors behind the endless enthusiasm of Bangladeshi people over the FIFA World Cup 2022? A country which is practically barren of playing fields, one where "development" is conducted by destroying open spaces, where children and adolescents are forced to be walled in due to a lack of playgrounds – how is it that this country is able to feel such excitement for the game of football? In the past, "school" was synonymous with "playing field" for Bangladeshis. But increased privatisation has made it so that even the most reputed schools lack outdoor spaces where students can play freely. This is how the children of Bangladesh are now being brought up. So how can we expect them to experience healthy physical and mental growth? And how can we expect our nation to flourish under these conditions of its youth? Anu Muhammad, professor of the economics department at Jahangirnagar University, talks with The Daily Star Opinion on these issues.

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