Dhaka Club denies charge of grabbing

FE Team | Published: November 12, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Suhrawardy Udyan
The authorities of Dhaka Club Limited, the oldest elite private club in the city, Sunday refuted the allegation that it had grabbed golf course land in Suhrawardy Udyan, reports UNB.
"We (Dhaka Club) have no intention of grabbing golf course land at the Suhrawardy Udyan. We signed a contract with the government to develop the golf course with greenery, maintain it properly with adequate security and make it a open sports centre for all," said Dhaka Club president Salim Bhuiyan at a press conference on the Club premises.
Dhaka Club secretary Group Capt (retd) Mujahidul Islam read out a written statement of the Club at the press conference.
The statement said the entire Suhrawardy Udyan (former Race Course), including the present golf course (open to all) established in 1926, was one of the most ancient golf courses in this sub-continent. It was the joint property of the Dhaka Club and the Gymkhana Club before the independence.
"So, there is no question of establishing a new golf course at Suhrawardy Udyanâ€¦ we have taken the initiative for its proper maintenance as it was not maintained properly by the authorities concerned. It turned into an open place for criminals, beggars and drug addicts," it added.
The Dhaka Club president said they had a plan to develop the golf course without causing any damage to the garden, plantation and permanent structure of Suhrawardy Udyan.
He said, "We've no clash with the environmentalists (BAPA) as we are also working for beautification and making the Suhrawardy Udyan environment-friendly.