Today marks the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace. Declared by the United Nations General Assembly, the day is an annual celebration of the power of sports to drive social change, community development and foster peace and understanding by creating a historical link to the first modern Olympic Games held on April 6, 1896. Sports are a positive way to create a spirit of goodwill, healthy competition and cooperation. We can use sport as one of the tools for social change.
Although the day is celebrated extensively across the world, Bangladesh is far from such celebrations. The authorities concerned hardly organise any programme on this occasion in our country. Even our neighbouring country, India, celebrates its National Sports Day on August 29 every year on the birthday of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. And the Indian President recognises talented people of the sports world on this occasion. Something similar could be done in Bangladesh, too, by celebrating our National Sports Day.
Ashikujaman Syed,
Research Assistant,
Center for Research Innovation and Development (CRID),
syedashikujaman@yahoo.com