Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday sought cooperation and support from the people of country, including the sports-loving ones, in successfully hosting the ensuing ICC World Twenty20 to be held in Bangladesh from March 16 to April 6 this year.
“I seek cooperation from people, especially from the sports loving fans in successfully hosting the Twenty20 World Cup in the country,” she said.
Hasina was addressing the National Organising Committee meeting of the Twenty20 World Cup 2014 held at her official residence Ganobhaban in the evening. State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Shikder and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan Papon spoke on the occasion.
The ICC World Twenty20, which is one of the major competitions of the International Cricket Council (ICC), will be hosted by Bangladesh from 16 March to 08 April, 2014. Sixteen men’s and 10 women’s teams will participate in the tournament making it the biggest extravaganza of ICC history.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister recalled that in her previous tenures various successful tournaments were held in the country despite various adversities, especially that of power.
“Now, Bangladesh has been doing well in organising international tournaments, including venue development and that’s the reality,” she added.
In this regard, the premier expressed her resolve to successfully host the Twenty20 tourney maintaining the tradition of the past although there are some 29 days left. “I have that belief and we’ll be able to do that,” she added.
Mentioning that her government always puts emphasis on sports as it help build characters of the youth and thus enhance image of the country in the global arena, Hasina said adding that whatever works left would have to be completed ahead of the ensuing meet.
She also said that fund would not be a problem as Finance Minister MA Muhith is very much generous when it comes to sports.
The Prime Minister also opined that some players should have to be given special training for the country’s test matches although luck plays its part in determining the fate of matches.
Citing that there could be too much of false propaganda about the tournament as it was in the Mini World Cup in 1998, Sheikh Hasina categorically said that her government has the ability to face any kinds of situation.
“The ICC Twenty20 will be held in the country successfully as there’s support from each and every countrymen, which is also a big support and force for the government….we’ll be able to do that,” she said.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged that the members of the Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, supporters and above all the country’s people had always extended their support in holding every tournament in the past.
A power-point presentation on the preparations of the upcoming biggest and blockbuster event in the history of the ICC was made at the meeting.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the chief patron of the National Organising Committee of the tournament, presided over the meeting.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Posts and Telecommunication Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan kamal, State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, State Minister for ICT Junaed Ahmed Polok, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, Cabinet Secretary, Army Chief, Navy Chief and concerned secretaries were present at the meeting.
During the ICC World Twenty 20 from March 16, 2014 to April 06, 2014, some 35 matches will be held in the men’s event while some 27 matches in the women’s section.
The participating 16 men’s teams are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, West Indies, India, England, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Nepal, Hong Kong, the UAE and the Netherlands.
The participating 10 women’s teams are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
Source: UNBConnect
