In Chauddagram, Cumilla, an innovative initiative by UNO Shahadat Hossain is helping adolescents move away from mobile phone addiction and return to the playing fields.
A year ago, eighth-grade students Abir Hossain, Md Zahid, and Mizanur Rahman spent their afternoons glued to mobile phones and online games, rarely engaging in study discussions or sharing daily experiences. Recently, during a visit to Kashinagar, UNO Shahadat Hossain stopped to speak with them and gifted a football, encouraging them to play outdoors. Since then, the boys have been playing football daily with joy and enthusiasm.
Beyond this encounter, the UNO has distributed sports equipment across remote villages and renovated local grounds. The Chauddagram High School field has been levelled with sand, and a raised platform has been built for spectators. Over the past three months, afternoons in village fields have come alive with football, cricket, and other sports. Local clubs are organizing tournaments, including the Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Football Tournament, which has drawn hundreds of teenagers and spectators.
Experts emphasize that sports nurture discipline, leadership, cooperation, and mental well-being, while excessive mobile use leads to isolation and addiction. UNICEF reports that Bangladeshi children spend nearly three hours daily on smartphones—triple the World Health Organization’s recommended limit. A recent study found 86 percent of preschool children addicted to smartphones, with 29 percent showing severe dependency.
Health professionals highlight that regular sport reduces risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, while strengthening immunity, bones, and mental resilience. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has launched the “Notun Kuri Sports” programme under the theme From Grassroots Talent to Tomorrow’s Champions, registering over 1.6 million children nationwide for 2026–27.
Dr Manjur Ahmed Saki noted that outdoor sports improve stamina, reduce stress, and foster cooperation. He stressed the urgent need to bring children back from mobile screens to green fields. Initiatives like “Run After Fajr” in Gunabati encourage early morning running competitions, promoting fitness and community harmony.
Md Mosharraf Hossain, sports organizer and deputy registrar at Comilla University, said media coverage and social platforms have boosted football tournaments, reviving Bengal’s sporting tradition. Even urban parents are now encouraging children to play outdoors.
UNO Shahadat Hossain stated: “Ensuring a safe environment for children and adolescents is essential to keep them away from drugs, teenage gangs, and crime. Through sport, we aim to create opportunities for their physical and mental development and guide them toward a healthy, fulfilling future.”
News: Md Emdad Ullah
