Rangamati, Nov 03 (V7N) – The Chittagong Hill Tracts are known for their natural beauty, cultural diversity and coexistence among different ethnic communities. Yet concerns are growing that even the sporting arena, which could serve as a powerful platform for unity, is becoming vulnerable to allegations of discrimination, group influence and favouritism.
The hills, covering nearly one-tenth of Bangladesh's territory across Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban districts, are home to people of different ethnic identities, languages, cultures and traditions. This diversity offers enormous potential for social harmony and cultural exchange.
However, the region has also experienced decades of conflict, mistrust, competition for influence, extortion and internal violence. Disputes over natural resources and economic opportunities, along with armed activities and struggles for dominance, have repeatedly disrupted the lives of ordinary residents. Security forces also face continuing challenges in maintaining law and order and securing the region's borders.
For decades, governments, political leaders and administrative authorities have spoken of establishing lasting peace in the hills. Various programmes, political commitments and security initiatives have been undertaken. Yet questions remain about why ordinary people continue to face uncertainty and why equal opportunities and peaceful coexistence remain difficult to ensure.
Political and administrative initiatives are essential to establishing peace. Equally important, however, is building a social foundation where people are valued first as human beings rather than judged by their ethnic identities. Sports and cultural activities can play a significant role in creating that foundation.
On a sports field, a player's ethnic background should never determine their place on a team. Skill, performance, discipline and teamwork should be the only considerations. Similarly, cultural performers who showcase their communities' traditions nationally and internationally represent not only their own ethnic groups but also the cultural diversity of Bangladesh.
Every ethnic community in the hills has its own traditions, cultural heritage and way of life. If this diversity is treated as a national asset rather than a source of division, the region could become an outstanding example of communal harmony. However, allegations of neglect and mismanagement have long raised questions about whether this potential is being properly utilised.
Critics have also alleged that, under previous political leaderships, party influence, project-related interests and personal benefits sometimes received greater attention than long-term planning for education, culture and sports. Such allegations have also surfaced in discussions about the local sporting environment.
The government's 'Notun Kuri' initiative, aimed at identifying and developing young talents in sports and cultural activities, could open new opportunities for children and adolescents in the hill districts. Its objectives should include identifying talented children in remote communities, providing them with proper training and creating opportunities for them to compete at national level.
However, concerns and allegations have emerged over the implementation of the programme in Rangamati.
Some allege that teachers and other individuals responsible for activities at educational institutions have not taken sufficient steps to involve students. In some cases, students have reportedly been discouraged from participating. Critics have questioned whether inactivity among some previous officeholders and a lack of initiative among newly assigned officials have slowed the programme.
Serious allegations have also emerged over the selection of under-15 football players in Rangamati.
Some players and individuals familiar with the selection process have alleged that preference is being given to players associated with a club led by a senior figure in the District Football Association and members of his own ethnic community. They claim that talented children and teenagers from different parts of the town are not receiving proper consideration.
There are further allegations that personal connections, group influence and favouritism are taking precedence over merit and performance in player selection.
These allegations require an impartial investigation. If they are substantiated, those responsible must be held accountable. If they prove unfounded, the relevant authorities should publish transparent findings to remove confusion. Allegations of discrimination in sports are particularly concerning because they threaten the principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
The issue extends beyond sports. It concerns social security, the future of young people and the broader challenge of establishing harmony in the hills.
Drug abuse has also become a growing concern in different parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Law enforcement agencies continue to conduct anti-drug operations and take action against drug traders and users. However, enforcement alone cannot protect an entire generation from the dangers of drugs. Young people also need healthy recreational opportunities, access to sports facilities, cultural activities and an environment in which their talents can flourish.
What happens to a teenager who wants to play football but cannot find a place on the field because of discrimination or neglect? What becomes of a child with cultural talent who loses the opportunity to develop it?
Keeping a child away from the playing field does not simply mean losing a potential athlete. It may also deprive that child of a healthy social environment and positive opportunities for personal development.
The greatest concern is that the very space that could bring people together beyond ethnic divisions may itself become a source of division if allegations of communal bias, political loyalty and personal influence are allowed to undermine fair competition.
If identity becomes more important than ability in player selection, talented children may eventually turn away from sports. Such disappointment would not only harm individual players but also deprive the wider community of valuable talent.
The sporting arena of the hills does not belong to any particular ethnic community, political party or individual. It belongs to everyone. Children and teenagers from all communities, including Bengali, Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Pankho, Lushai and others, must have equal opportunities to participate and demonstrate their abilities.
Ethnic identity should never determine selection. Merit, skill and performance must remain the only criteria.
To restore confidence in Rangamati's sporting institutions, the implementation of the Notun Kuri programme needs to be reviewed. Authorities should examine how effectively educational institutions are carrying out the activities, where obstacles exist and whether those assigned responsibilities are fulfilling their duties.
A transparent selection policy must also be introduced for under-15 football and other sporting competitions. Open trials, impartial selection panels and publicly accessible evaluation procedures should be ensured. Talented children from both urban and remote areas must have equal opportunities to participate.
The District Sports Association, District Football Association, educational institutions and relevant administrative authorities should be held accountable for their respective responsibilities.
At the same time, the traditional sports, cultural heritage and talents of every ethnic community in the hills should receive greater recognition and opportunities for presentation at national level. Sports and cultural programmes must remain free from undue political, communal and personal influence.
Regional leaders must also recognise that development projects, tenders, budget allocations and infrastructure construction alone cannot secure the future of a generation. Young people need quality education, cultural engagement, sports facilities, healthy recreation and equal opportunities.
For decades, peace and harmony have been recurring promises in the hills. But if sports and culture, two of the most effective social tools for building unity, are left vulnerable to political influence, group dominance, communal attitudes and favouritism, what kind of future is being prepared for the next generation?
Establishing peace in the hills is not solely the responsibility of security forces or a matter of political promises by the government. It is also a social, cultural and generational responsibility.
Every child should have the opportunity to hold a football rather than be exposed to violence, every young person should have access to a playing field instead of falling into drug abuse, and every ethnic community should have the opportunity to present its culture with dignity and respect. These are among the essential foundations of lasting harmony.
The time has come to make the sporting arena of the hills open, fair and free from group dominance, ensuring that talented young people are not deprived of opportunities because of their identity.
Otherwise, peace and harmony may continue to be celebrated on public platforms while the region's promising young talents disappear from the playing fields, discouraged by discrimination and neglect.
The hills' playing fields are not anyone's private property. No individual or community has an exclusive right to talent. Where merit is ignored, the message of harmony loses its meaning.
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