Relief, satisfaction and pride for the hosts (2 November 1998)

2 November 1998

Relief, satisfaction and pride for the hosts

by Zahid Newaz

"One World, One Game" was the theme of Wills International Cup. To express the character of the first ever knock out world cup, ICC's main slogan was "Nine Nations, One Chance".

And after the successful conclusion of the biggest-ever sports carnival in Bangladesh, for the host it is now a matter of "Relief, Satisfaction and Pride".

A happy and smiling Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the president of Bangladesh Cricket Board, preferred the three words to express his and his colleagues' feelings about the "mini world cup" that ended with the climax between South Africa and West Indies Sunday.

"It's a great relief for us that the tournament ends with great success, not only in terms of hosting the mega event, but also for the cricket-loving nation's participation in everything of the carnival," he told CricInfo365 as the final match was only a few overs away.

"Being the host, we're satisfied... also feel pride that from every player to official of the nine test-playing participating teams to ICC officials and other cricket celebrities who witnessed the gala show of cricket, praised not only us, the crowd also charmed them," the BCB president said.

"It gave us great satisfaction, it's a pride for the nation."

Saber Chowdhury, also the deputy minister for Shipping, correctly echoed the tens of thousands of sports lovers in the country.

The cricket-mad people in fact had given up everything other than watching the clash between willow and leather, either in the big-bowl of Bangabandhu National Stadium or on the television screen at their homes.

"We were lucky that we could host the biggest cricketing event after the world cup," said Abdul Hasib, a businessman.

He added: "Its successful completion, I think, not only brings pride for us... It's also a little more than a mere tournament as for the first time we saw all the test playing nations together in Dhaka."

Young Shafiq Ahmed Rana looked very happy as he said he watched all the matches, some of those buying tickets even in black market at high price. He was, however, a little sad seeing the packed stadium witnessing the final without a sub-continental team.

"Obviously, people here love to see matches of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The fans would have liked more to witness the final featuring at least one these three countries. But they didn't miss the final between West Indies and South Africa. This proves the Bangladeshi people really love cricket," he said.

Rana read the spectators correctly as renowned former circketers like Geoff Boycott, Michael Holding, Tony Greig and Ravi Shastri, here as commentators for live telecast by WorldTel, all praised the Dhaka crowd highly.

The appreciation also came from West Indian Brian Lara and South African Hansie Cronje after the final as both they termed the crowd as "fantastic and unbelievable". And finally they were joined by Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of International Cricket Council, the supreme body of world cricket and organiser of the tournament aimed at raising funds for globalising the game.

Dalmiya expressed his satisfaction about everything with the mega event in Dhaka despite the hardships after the devastating flood. He appreciated the cooperation extended by the government.

"Bangladesh people are well known for their hospitality. The BCB and the people here once again proved it," the ICC chief said. "Obviously, it will bring many good for Bangladesh cricket in future."

Source :: CricInfo365