Photo: Collected
After a long wait, the possibility has arisen of Barishal returning to the big stage of national cricket. The re-renovation work of Kabi Jibanananda Das Stadium on the bank of the Kirtankhola river in the city is already about 80 per cent complete.
Those concerned are moving ahead with the aim of finishing the remaining work and handing over the ground before a national-level tournament starts in late December. If everything goes according to plan, national-level cricket may be played on the Barishal ground in December itself. Shahnian Tanim, chairman of the grounds committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), gave this information to journalists after visiting the stadium at around 12:30pm on Thursday.
Coming to see the progress of the renovation work on the spot, this BCB official went around the ground, the structures adjoining the ground and various buildings. At the time he spoke to those concerned about the current state of the work, the remaining work and the preparations for handing over the ground.
Shahnian Tanim said much of the work, including the stadium’s renovation and ancillary work, was supposed to have been finished much earlier. However, he does not want to blame anyone for the delay; the main goal now is to finish the remaining work in the shortest possible time and take over the ground.
Speaking of the plan to hold a national-level tournament in late December, he said they want most of the tournament’s matches in December to be held in Barishal. As a new stadium, the matter is being viewed with importance.
He said new stadiums have been built in various places of the country and these grounds deserve the chance to host national-level matches. The BCB is working to bring national and international-level cricket back to Barishal as well. In his words, they are saying with confidence that they want to bring Bangladesh’s cricket to Barishal, and the work is moving ahead with that consideration.
Those involved with the stadium said a large part of the re-renovation has already been completed. Various infrastructure works, including development of the ground, are progressing and the aim is to make the ground fit for use within the stipulated time. With the visit of the BCB grounds committee chairman, the progress of the renovation work and the preparations for handing over the ground have received further importance.
Although Barishal’s cricket lovers once regularly had the chance to watch big matches, this stadium has for a long time been largely removed from national-level cricket. Those concerned hope that wait may end once the renovation is completed.
The BCB grounds committee chairman has spoken of the expectation of holding a larger number of matches in Barishal in the December tournament. Those concerned think this will pave the way not only for national-level cricket but also for hosting international matches in the future.
If national-level cricket returns regularly to this ground, it will also create an important opportunity for the cricketers of Barishal division. Those concerned hope local spectators will get the chance to watch big teams’ matches on their home ground and that interest and participation in cricket at the local level will grow.
After the renovation is completed, the BCB will take the next decision on hosting matches after inspecting the condition of the ground, the infrastructure and other facilities.
With the December tournament in view, activities are now under way with the aim of quickly finishing the remaining work and getting the stadium ready. If all preparations are completed on time, the long-awaited national-level cricket may return for Barishal’s cricket lovers in December itself.
