International Sports Complex, Laboni Beach Road, Cox’s Bazar

Abstract

“Sport is a universal language. At its best, it can bring people together, no matter what their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status.” - Kofi Annan (Former UN Secretary-General)

With the increasing modernization that has been experienced by societies, the importance of sport and physical activity in everyday life has steadily declined. Once used as a tool of social cooperation and regional integration, sport has often been presented as a commodified show fueled by media sensationalization and agendas of profit generation. This shift has eroded the social and communal aspects of sport, thus lowering its ability to create meaningful human interrelationship. Also, the growing popularity of digital media and increasingly detached lifestyles have led to the loss of active engagement, negatively affecting the physical, social and psychological growth of younger generations. This thesis suggests the creation of an International Sports Complex in Bangladesh as a modern tool of promoting the sporting culture, tourism and community interactions across the world. The complex will serve as an international venue, training grounds, and community events, which will make Bangladesh a sports tourism destination in the region and motivate the communities to be active participants.Through incorporating sporting infrastructure in the world with available public spaces, the complex will ensure the integration of modernization and community development, thus making international sporting a part of the developing cultural self in Bangladesh, in a globalized environment.