All the federations, organisations, and sports establishments of the country fall under the auspices of the National Sports Council (NSC). Almost annually, the NSC embarks on construction and refurbishment of sports facilities to ensure the continuity and development of sports.
The gymnasium, housed within the venerable edifice of the NSC, serves as the arena for gymnastics and taekwondo (it previously accommodated weightlifting, wrestling, and karate as well). Presently, due to persistent torrential rains, there is a looming apprehension of water infiltrating the gymnasium and causing irreparable damage to the gymnastics apparatus valued at crores of rupees.
Positioned behind the NSC's aged structure, the gymnasium, though expansive, suffers from a dearth of amenities. The paucity of illumination coupled with inadequate ventilation results in gymnasts and taekwondo practitioners training and competing under sweltering conditions. This hardship is compounded by the ingress of rainwater during the monsoon season.
For years, rainwater has stealthily encroached upon the gymnasium. Initially, this was not a significant concern. However, in the past two years, the Gymnastics Federation has invested in equipment worth crores of rupees, transforming the venue into a suitable locale for gymnastics.
Yet, this valuable gymnastic equipment is gradually succumbing to the ravages of rainwater.
Debris from various levels of this building accumulates in one corner of the gymnasium, obstructing the drainage of rainwater. The stagnant water persistently permeates the walls, which have become sodden over time. The NSC's administrative wing has reported numerous injuries sustained by cleaners whilst tending to the gymnasium's roof, a problem exacerbated by continuous littering.
The NSC's new building accommodates several governmental and private entities. The NSC, as the proprietor, incurs resource losses due to its inability to enforce stringent conditions upon its tenants. Within the gymnasium, adjustable fans are installed at strategic points to facilitate lighting and ventilation. However, with some fans in disrepair, water has also infiltrated through the resultant voids.
In certain areas, the Gymnastics Federation has resorted to placing buckets to catch the dripping water.
The Bangladesh Taekwondo Federation's office is situated in the old building opposite the gymnasium. There too, the balcony is prone to waterlogging during the rains. The NSC bears the responsibility for the upkeep and supervision of sports facilities and offices.
Ahmadur Rahman Bablu, former general secretary of the Gymnastics Federation, expressed his frustration that the gymnasium's issues remain unaddressed despite repeated notifications to the NSC, "Numerous issues plague this gymnasium. The lack of light, air circulation, and the damp conditions have all been communicated to the National Sports Council both verbally and in writing, yet no remedy has been forthcoming."
