DU to have 'high-class' cricket venue on its playground

The central playground of DU, one of the most prominent grounds in the city, will be turned into a high-class cricket ground.Photo: STAR

The authorities of Dhaka University (DU) are planning to develop a high-class cricket venue on its central playground.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that usually hosts cricket matches on different university playgrounds will fund and supervise the facelift project at DU.
Earlier in November, BCB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect with DU.
The five-year agreement gives BCB the responsibility to overhaul the central playground of DU and turn it into a quality cricket ground. Though the scheme is still at its early stage, DU officials believe that it would take a few months to spruce up the ground.
The vast span of caringly maintained green along with decent facilities of the DU central playground make it one of the most prominent grounds in the city. The playground encompasses for sections -- a swimming pool in the northwestern area, a football ground on the southern side, a gymnasium on the outer ring past the football ground and a cricket ground in the northeastern section.
To modernise the cricket ground located in the northeastern section, the BCB will set up a modern cricket pitch along with stands for spectators, dressing rooms, a media centre for press officials and toilets in the eastern side of the venue. Modern practice turfs will also be included.
"The BCB regularly hosts seasonal games, especially under-19 and under-16 games on this ground. Therefore, they want this ground to be a more apt cricket turf," said Abdur Rashid, a DU official working at the swimming pool stadium.
"Both players [participating in BCB-hosted games] and DU students will be benefited from this agreement," he said.
Shahrier Rashid, a student of Political Science Department at DU, said, "It would be great because we would be able to play on real cricket pitches and get the feeling of playing in real cricketing conditions."
General students were however concerned and doubtful over the students' access to the ground after the overhauling project is complete.
"It all sounds good, but the question remains -- whether we would be able to use the ground as freely as we do now," said Saumitra Saha, a student of International Relations Department at DU.
DU authorities assured that the students would have full access to the facility as they did before.
"BCB will use the ground only during their matches. The ground will be available for general use at any other time," said Prof Dr AFM Yusuf Haider, pro vice chancellor of DU.
"Our ultimate goal is to renovate the ground to a level where it can host international matches. On top of it all, we want the ground to be a place where any youngster would feel at home and enjoy a good sporting spirit," he said.
Mahmudur Rahman, chief executive officer of BCB, could not be reached despite several attempts. However, sources at BCB told this correspondent that they are still reviewing the plans and fund for the project is yet to be allocated.