Hasan Masood: Bangladesh Cricket given everything (31 Jul 1998)

31 July 1998

Cricket given everything

By Hasan Masood

The Government of Bangladesh is to spend around 15 crore Taka to host the Wills International Cup to be held at the Dhaka Stadium from October 24 to November 2, State Minister for Youth and Sports Obaidul Quader said yesterday.

Mr. Quader, who is also the Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC), said that the cost will be incurred for installing the new flood lighting system, the electronic scoreboard and the development of Dhaka Stadium, including the ground. He disclosed this while talking to The Daily Star at the NSC office last evening.

"The new flood lights and electronic scoreboard will cost around ten crore and the rest will be spent for the development works. Besides, we are going to double the size of the Press Box and the VIP gallery," said Quader.

Earlier the sports boss visited the Dhaka Stadium along with the Bangladesh Cricket Board president Saber Hossain Chowdhury to see the progress of the works.

Mr. Quader however denied a widely-publicised recent rumour that NSC have recast their contract with Siemens, who are installing the new flood-light system at the Dhaka Stadium.

The state minister categorically denied that Siemens were given the 'go ahead' by NSC to install another 60 bulbs in addition to the contracted 400.

Commenting on an interview of the Bangladesh cricket coach Gordon Greenidge published in the Daily Star in its issues of July 25, 26 and 27, the minister said that he was aware of things.

"I know what Greenidge wants because he told me the same things many a time when we came across each other at Dhaka or at the BKSP."

"As far as my ministry and myself are concerned, we have provided everything that the Board had been asking for in the name of cricket. I have spent more than three crore Taka to upgrade the facilities at the BKSP. Now if they can not do anything or improve things, that is not my problem," said a disgruntled Quader.

The minister also revealed that although a Bangladesh contingent of around 100 persons for the 16th Commonwealth Games has been proposed and submitted for ministerial approval, he has reduced the number to around seventy.

"I have omitted the names of the wives of ministers, MPs and other influential men who were trying to go to the Games either in the capacity of observer or official. It is not a pleasure trip. Players should be given maximum priority," the state minister said.

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)