Following are the remaining part of Saturday's Jatiya

Sangsad proceedings.

Hafizuddin

After this. State Minister for Youth and Sports Mirza Abbas sought the permission of the chair to introduce the National Sports Control Board (Amendment) Bill. 1991. Taking the floor immediately. Maj (Rtd) Hafizuddin (Ind-Bhold) sought the Speaker's permission to say something on the Bill.

Hafizuddin said that because of his staying abroad, he could not bring necessary amendments to the proposed bill In time. But as a football veteran and the only elected representative to FIFA from all the SAARC countries. Hafizuddin said, he had enough knowledge of the country's sport and as such, if he was allowed to make some suggestion. the entire national would be benefited, he said.

Abdur Rauf

The Speaker thanked Maftzuddin and assured him of proper consideration. The floor was then given to Abdur Rauf (AL- Ntlphamari).

Taking the floor Rauf said, he thought the amendment was brought merely to change its title, recalling the background of the law. Rauf said that the Bangabandhu had promulgated the ordinance to form a National Sports Control Board with an objective to improve the overall conditions of national sports activities. That objective headded **

Rauf alleged that the Sports Control Board had turned into a den of self seek total democratieation of this organisation in the greater national interest. This organisa tion had been grebed and con trofledby the vested interest.

RauFsaid. time and again, people from a "certain place" were given the charges to run this organisation. But instead of improving the condition of ^u^derin^jerwur^s^nd pointed ou* that* tns-toTof car* rytag feme from abroad the seif seekers carried bad names for ■tost g to—to from toe hateto they were^put up while international and regional meets like the Aaiad Hashed Khan Menon

Taking the floor next. Hashed Khan Menon (Workers Party-Bakergani) said that he demanded sending the bill to elicit public opinion as he thought that by merely changing the name, the basic character of an organisation could not be altered.

Menon said that the State Minister for Sports, tn a very bureaucratic manner, put the bill tn our hands without deeply going Into the detailed aspects. He again demanded obtaining opinion of the peo pie. particularly those related to the sports world, so that the bill could fulfil the need of the nation.

Mizanur Rahman Manu

Next, Mizanur Rahman Manu (AL-Dlnajpur) took the floor and said, despite having clear rules as to who would be the chairman of the board, none, excepting persons u-om a" certain place" wer< ap Cted as chairman of the d during the last nine years

Mizanur Rahman said. when our boys from the Jatiya Krlra Shlkha Pratlshthan returned home with international awards like the Dana and Gothta Cups, we saw that the then sports minister received more importance in the Radio and TV than the boys them selves.

He said, mismanagement and corruption should have to be removed from the national sports arena. Otherwise, he said the youths would lose their spirit and initiative and be diverted towards heroin ^R^h^’iirid^FIh^ •». no security In the fields, our

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A. K. M. Jahangir Hoaoaia

The Speaker then gave the floor to A. K M Jahangir ' Hossain (AL-Bakerganj) who , said that the motive to bring the amendment was not to bring any qualitative change but to change the title of the organisation. It was like । changing a "glass full of wine to a wtneful glass’ he added.

He said there were no efforts in the amendment to bring any structural changes in the organisation necessary for the good of the country's sports.

Criticising the functioning of the board Hossain said persons having no relevance with games and sports were being sent to lead country's sports delegations abroad. We do know whether the minister had brought the amendment for their interest. he added.

He suggested that the bill be sent for seeking public opinion so that the amended bill could fulfil the needs of the nation.

Sheikh Harunur Rashid

Taking the floor next. Sheikh Harunur Rashid (AL-Khula) said that during the au tocratlc rule, the sports organ isations were occupied by peo pie who did not belong to sports world

He said those who grabbed the chairs of the office bearers of those organisations were the beneficiaries of the autocratic government.

Sheikh Rashid said those people had always tried to please the then governments In this regard, he mentioned the name of the Secretary of Khulna District Sports Association and said "this man remained secretary during the successive governments of Awaml League. BNP and Jattva Party." The fellow is still there when the new government of BNP is in power, he said

He expressed the conft dence that with a young man like Mirza Abbas as State Minister for Sports and Youth the country would be benefited in the field of games and sports.

Sheikh Rashid said that sports should be kept above politics

Proposing that the bill be sent for eliciting public opin ton. Abdul Matin Khaaur (AL Co—Ila) said that the State Minister should have brourfit a

Khaaur said the entire na-August House (JaU^sL^^l’ but we are spoiling the valuable time by introducing such bills prepared by the bureaucrats. He said "we have to prove that the Sangsad was more powerful than the bureaucracy. "

Haji Hashed Mosharraf

Hail Rashed Mosharraf (Al-Jamalpur) participating in the discussion said that the bill be sent for eliciting public opinion by May 15. 1991. He said that time had come when sports organisations should have elected bodies.

He regretted that since Independence only one election was held for Sports Organisation Ad-hoc committees were by far the bodies to run those organisations.

Haji Rashed Mosharraf said sportsmen now worked as country's Image builders, citing example. he said. Argentina Is now known for Maradona and Cameroon for Roger Milla

He requested State Minister for sports to withdraw the bill and place a fresh one after consulting the concerned people.

Khademul Islam

Khademul Islam (Al-Ihakurgaon) said he had rea sons to believe that the bill was brought Just to change the name as It was given by the Awaml Ixrnguc government. To drive his point home he said the BNP government after coming to power liad changed the name of Bangladesh Betcr In to Radio Bangladesh He said It appeared that the >111 was not aimed at developing games and sports

Ansar All (Jamaat Satkhira) called for eliciting public on the bill in the Interest of promotion of sports and games He said a mere change tn the name and nomenclature of the bill would not serve any useful

Hafizuddin Ahmed (Ind-Bholal urged the concerned minister to withdraw the bill as it was not a complete one. He said, as dismay and despair engulfed the sports arena. Sports enthusiasts were looking for a change in the infrastructure of the sports organisa: Hons. He said the people were also clamouring for the democratlsation of the sports bodies.

Referring to the popular adage "keep sports clean of politics' the renowned footballer said sports in Bangladesh had become a ’’hotbed of politics'. He also briefly mentioned in this re-Krd how he had to resign

>m the post of President of Bangladesh Football Federation in the interests of keeping his dignity.

He posed a question what benefit the change of name would bring in when the prices of sports gears were very high and there was dearth of sports ground and stadiums in the country.

Hafizuddin urged the State Minister for sports to place a complete bill In the House in the greater interest of the nation.

Speaking on the bill. Principal Rafiqul Islam (Al Jessore) said when the whole world was involved in the cold war. sports was the only bridge among the community of na Uons. He called for incorporating democratic provisions in the bill and place it in the House for Its passage.

Mir Shawkat Ali

Taking the floor after being allowed by Deputy Speaker. Lt. General (retd) Mir Shawkat Alt supported the change tn the name of the institute and he urged the State Minister to name the Institution as the na tional sports promotion board or council.

He also advocated provision of more autonomy for the smooth running and efficient functioning of different sports federations.

Shawkat Alt who was once the president of the Bangladesh Football Federation called for placing competent man at the head of different sports bodies.

Mohiuddin Ahmed (BKSAL Plrojpur) said a mere change In the name would not bring any good for the sports bodies which were now tn the midst of an uncertain situation.

He urged the chair to send the bill to a ftve member select committee.

Mirza Abb—

State^M-ster for YfouthTmi

Sports Mirza Abbas said tndta ctpline from the sports arena would be removed for improv ing the situation.

after < hanging the nomencia- ture of the national sports body

Accepting the criticism of the Sangsad members that some people had made money out of sports in the past. Mirza Abbas said necessary inquiries would be made

He said he would not take the responsibility of the mis deeds done tn the past. He. however, said, he would try to make the sports arena free from corruption. He said the government would give due importance to any information regarding corruption of the past regime.

Mirza Abbas said every effort would be made for raising the standard of sports, and assuring the House that corruption done in respect of sending sports delegations abroad would be thoroughly Inquired and actions would be taken against the offenders.

He said steps In the sports arena would be taken after consulting with concerned people Irrespective of their political affiliation. He called upon the members to withdraw their motions for sending the bill for eliciting public opinion and to the select committee.

- Mohiuddin Ahmed

At this stage. Mohiuddin Ahmed (BKSAL-Faridpur) took the floor and said if the State Minister gave them assurance as to when the elections of the district sports associations would be held only then they would consider the withdrawal of the request.

Then the Deputy Speaker put the motions for sending the bill for eliciting public opinion and to the select committee to vote they were rejected by voice vote

Mohammad Naaim

When the Deputy Speaker wanted to call the first speaker for participating in the vote of thanks on the address by the Acting President. Chief Whip Nasim twk°the lk>or and"drew the attention of the chair to the lack of interest of the members for participating tn the vote of thanks today

He suggested postponement. The item and taking the next agenda of the day. discussion on matters of public importance 'regarding postponement of appointment in government fobs.'

The Chief Whip of the trea sury bench Khandaker Delwar Hossain suggested adjourn ment of the House and put the discussion on "postponement of appointment in government jobs* on some other days.

The Deputy Speaker ad journed the House at 9 M p m Ui 3 p. as Sunday