Hopeful of no disruptions

Workers prepare the stage for the opening ceremony of the 8th Bangladesh Games at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. The games are scheduled to kick off on April 20 and will be contested in 28 venues across the country. PHOTO: STAR

Organisers of the Bangladesh Olympic Association are hopeful to stage the eighth Bangladesh Games in amiable political condition as a top leader of the opposition asked the organisers to approach them officially.
"We have already contacted with a top leader of the opposition and he has asked us to approach them officially and we are likely to meet the opposition leaders tomorrow (Friday) with official letters and we are hopeful that they will not impose hartal during Bangladesh Games to be played from April 20-28," said Bangladesh Games' steering committee chairman Harunur Rashid during the official press briefing at the Olympic Bhaban yesterday.
The standing committee of Bangladesh Games headed by finance minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith yesterday met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasain, who is chief patron of the Bangladesh Games.
“The Prime Minister has been informed of the details of the Bangladesh Games and she has suggested us to strengthen the publicity,” said Harun adding that the highlights of the grand opening ceremony had been shown to the chief patron.
The venues of the Games have been increased to 28 from initial 21, informed BOA acting secretary general Ashikur Rahman Miku adding that the torch rally of Games would start from the national martyrs' memorial at Savar on April 19 to take a pause at the Bangladesh Army Stadium in Banani before the rally resumes in the morning of the Games' opening day with the participation of renowned athletes.