Kushtia’s Nearly Tk 9cr Swimming Pool Shut Down, Left to Decay

The district swimming pool in Kushtia, the primary facility for producing swimmers in the district, has remained completely out of operation for a long time. Due to a lack of necessary repairs, negligence in maintenance and a dysfunctional water filtration system, the pool has become entirely unusable. As an upcoming national-level competition approaches, the district’s emerging swimmers are facing severe difficulties. Deprived of the facilities of the modern swimming pool, they are now compelled to train in unclean and unsafe ponds, ditches and other water bodies.

It is learnt that the international-standard swimming pool was constructed in 2017 with substantial funding from the National Sports Council near the Kushtia Shaheed Abrar Fahad Stadium. The construction of the large facility cost Tk 8 crore 78 lakh 38 thousand at the time. Although the pool remained operational for some time after its construction, various complications later emerged regarding its operation and maintenance. As a result, its normal activities gradually became disrupted, and at one point the facility was completely shut down.

During a visit to the site on Sunday (September 27), it was found that the swimming pool was in a severely dilapidated condition due to prolonged neglect and a lack of repairs. Several glass panels around the pool were found broken. The filtration plant, the main system for purifying the water, has remained out of operation for a long time. As there is no regular system for changing and purifying the water, the stagnant water in the pool has deteriorated and become unfit for use.

The inability to use the modern facility is seriously disrupting the swimmers’ preparations. People involved in swimming expressed frustration, saying that regular and quality training is essential for swimmers ahead of national and divisional-level competitions. Without even the minimum opportunity to train in a modern swimming pool, promising swimmers from Kushtia are failing to make the necessary preparations, significantly reducing their chances of performing well in competitions.

Several emerging swimmers expressed their disappointment, saying that their national-level competition is approaching, but they are unable to train regularly because the swimming pool remains closed. They said they could have completed their preparations more effectively if they had been given the opportunity to practise in the pool for at least one or two months before the competition. The athletes therefore strongly demanded that the swimming pool be repaired and reopened as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the swimmers are facing various health risks and other problems while being forced to practise in local ponds and ditches as alternatives to the pool. Many of them are suffering from physical complications, including itching and skin diseases, due to regularly swimming in unclean water. In addition, the lack of adequate safety measures while training in these open water bodies creates the risk of a major accident at any time.

Kamal Hossain, an executive member of the Bangladesh Swimming Federation and founding general secretary of Amla Swimming Club, said Kushtia has a long and rich tradition of swimming. In the past, several talented swimmers from the district emerged at national and international levels and brought honour to the country. However, he said the prolonged closure of the swimming pool has deprived the new generation of swimmers of regular training opportunities. He warned that Kushtia’s swimming sector would face a major crisis if the pool is not repaired and reopened soon.

Meanwhile, Kushtia District Sports Officer Md Tanvir Hossain assured that the authorities are aware of the current problems with the swimming pool. He said necessary initiatives would be taken to resolve the problems as soon as possible and make the pool usable again.

Local sports enthusiasts are deeply disappointed that such an important sports facility, built with public funds at a cost of nearly Tk 9 crore, has remained out of operation for years. Those concerned hope that the repair work will be completed as soon as possible and that the pool will be reopened to swimmers by restoring its water and filtration systems. This would not only provide swimmers with regular training opportunities but also create a pathway for Kushtia’s long-standing swimming tradition to regain its former strength.