The Parbatya Zila Parishad Gold Cup Football Tournament 2025 is set to kick off today at the Bandarban District Stadium, a venue that is in urgent need of repairs after years of neglect.

Ahead of the week-long tournament, the rundown stadium is undergoing some last-minute renovations -- the first in recent memory -- but the extent of the decay remains evident.

A day before the tournament, a worker was seen operating a grass-cutting machine at the ground under the midday sun. However, the iron-grilled gallery remained draped in vines, with knee-high grass in various spots.

A waterlogged pit lied on the southern side, and the bush growing along the inner fence was yet to be cleared. Parts of the gallery appeared severely dilapidated, in need of immediate fixing.

According to District Sports Education Officer Md Rezaul Karim, the stadium is managed by the local District Sports Association (DSA).

Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ara Reeni, president of the Bandarban DSA, acknowledged the longstanding neglect of the stadium.

"The gates used to remain locked. Some even built makeshift homes under the gallery. After taking charge, we removed the illegal occupants. We have now taken initiatives to renovate the entire field," she said.

"This is the only major sports ground in Bandarban. Once the renovation is completed, children, youths, and adults will again have access to sports and physical activities," she hoped.

A total of eight teams -- including seven upazila teams and the Bandarban Sadar team -- will compete in the tournament.

"Our aim is to keep the youth away from drugs, inspire the next generation to engage in sports, and promote athletic activities," Bandarban Parbatya Zila Parishad Chairman Prof. Thanzama Lushai said at the press conference on Sunday ahead of the event.