Wills International Cup Countdown (13 October 1998)

Former State Minister for Youth and Sports and Dhaka City Convenor of main opposition party BNP has extended total support for the successful holding of the Wills Cup

13-Oct-1998

13 October 1998

Wills International Cup Countdown

By Zahid Newaz in Dhaka

Latest news from Bangladesh on the tournament which begins in eleven days time:

Former State Minister for Youth and Sports and Dhaka City Convenor of main opposition party BNP has extended total support for the successful holding of the Wills Cup. Sadek Hossain Khoka, however, is critical of the statement of State Minister for Sports Obaidul Quader who on Sunday had asked for withdrawal of opposition's mass hunger strike on October 18. Khoka in a statement on Monday night said the BNP programme has nothing to do with the cricket nor it will hamper the tournament. "I have talked with the sports minister and NSC officials assuring them of BNP's total cooperation for making the tournament a success," Khoka added. He also quested all quarters to refrain from creating confusion among the people involving BNP programme with the cricket.

The floodlight and electronic scoreboard set up at Bangabandhu National Stadium for Wills International Cup Cricket have been inaugurated. Bangladesh Finance Minister SAMS Kibria switched on the floodlights and the electronic scoreboard on Monday afternoon amidst cheers from a few thousand sports lovers. They converged at the stadium to watch the unique cricketing display, first in the country. As soon as the electronic scoreboard was switched on, words flashed on the board separately welcoming the spectators at the stadium, ministers present on the occasion and Event Manager Asif Iqbal.

John C Bodnar, a senior producer of WorldTel, the tournament telecast authority, arrived in Dhaka Monday on a one-day visit to see the telecast arrangements. Indian network Doordarshan has the telecast rights. WorldTel will provide broadcasting arrangements. Some 60 WorldTel staff and crew will arrive on October 20.

Players, coaches and officials of the nine test playing countries will be staying at Sonargaon Pan Pacific Hotel during the tournament. Six umpires and match refereies will also stay at the hotel. Hotel Sheraton will host ICC officials and invited guests. Foreign journalists will be accommodated at Hotel Sundarban.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has approved 24 food shops for the Wills Cup. A total of 75 organisations had applied for selling foods during the tourney. Of the 24 stalls, two will be in hospitality boxes and VIP galleries while 22 others in club houses and galleries.

Source :: CricInfo365