Sports to get Tk528.43cr for operations, dev

The government plans to allocate Tk 1,303 crore to the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the upcoming fiscal year of 2023-24.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal shared the proposal in parliament on Thursday while presenting the proposed national budget of Tk 7,61,785 crore for FY24.

Tk 382.48 crore has been allocated for development works while Tk 927.48 crore for operating issues. Of the total, Tk 528.43 crore will be set aside for sports, including operational and development costs.

The proposed total for the Youth and Sports Ministry is Tk 28 crore higher than it was initially given in the outgoing FY2022-23. However, in the revised budget, the amount had gone up to Tk 1,628 crore.

The ceiling for sports budget has been set at Tk 1,309.86 crore as the revised budget shows a total of Tk 1,020.32 crore in expenditure.

The development expenditure in FY2022-23 was Tk 739.18 crore, alongside an operational cost of Tk 281 crore.

However, the operational cost has increased as several organisations will receive more, meaning the total has been set at Tk 300.10 crore.

The National Sports Council will receive Tk 39.74 crore, which is around Tk 2 crore more than FY23’s Tk 37.30 crore.

Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Pratishthan (BKSP) will receive Tk 85.07 crore for operations, around Tk 5 crore more than in FY23.

The Sports Directorate got Tk 47.80 crore in FY23 and in FY24, it is set to get Tk 51.71 crore.

Stadium operations cost was Tk 10.1 crore in FY23, and it will go up to Tk 12.65 crore in FY24. The costs for participating in international competitions have been set at Tk 32.51 crore, an increase on FY23’s Tk 30.20 crore.

In the budget speech, the finance minister said, “Construction and renovation of various sports infrastructures including modern stadiums, gymnasiums, and swimming pools are going on and free sports items are being provided to the sports clubs.

“Besides, ‘Upazila Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium Construction Project’ has been undertaken. In the first phase of the project the construction of stadiums in 125 Upazilas has been completed. In the second phase, the construction of stadiums in 186 more Upazilas is underway.”

He said, “The image of the country gets brightened in the world when our players earn success in international competition. The girls of Bangladesh are also participating in various national and international competitions spontaneously and are making their mark. We are also paying special attention to the welfare of the players.”

“The Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council Award has been introduced for distinguished sportspersons/organisers. Monthly allowance and one-time grant and medical assistance are being provided to poor, injured and disabled sportspersons every year through Bangabandhu Krirashebi Kalyan Foundation,” he said.

“We are also constructing sports complexes to facilitate individuals with special needs,” the minister added.