However, it was neither the colourful opening ceremony nor the nicely decorated settings that struck them most, but the suspension of multi-purpose business for at least a day.

Not only the shops of the all-purpose venue, which over the years has turned into a commercial hub, were totally closed but also the addicts and drug peddlers could hardly be seen around the sporting arena.

"I'm a regular visitor to this place, but have not seen such a vivifying and sporting atmosphere in the last few years," said Mojibul Islam.

The middle-aged man was also happy at the vanishing act of the floating pornographic CD traders and the undesirable elements from the surroundings.

"It is really pleasing me that nobody on my back today was saying, 'puria lagbo' (do you need a paper strip of heroin)," quipped Mojibul.

"But I'm afraid, the dark side of the stadium will take over once the youth World Cup is over," he lamented.