ICC’s venue inspection team was happy with the progress of the Bangabandhu National Stadium as they went straight into business after arriving in Dhaka on Friday.
The 19-member delegation, headed by ICC event manager Chris Tetley, are looking into cricket operations, commerce, grounds, legal matters, security, broadcast and media dividing into seven groups.
They arrived at the BNS, the venue for the Februaray-17 opening ceremony, at 2:00pm and held two meetings with the Local Organising Committee members – one before and one after – their inspection of the venue.
‘It is amazing to see the stadium in this condition. It looks totally different after renovation. I have seen it during the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2004, but now it appeared very different to me,’ Tetley told reporters.
‘The progress is quiet satisfactory.’
Tetley said he is now eagerly waiting to see the progress of the renovation works at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, which will host as many as six matches of the showpiece event including two quarter-finals. Only Sri Lankan capital Colombo will host more matches (seven) than the SBNS in the World Cup.
During the meeting, the LOC officials cleared several queries which included seating facilities, performers’ accommodation on the opening day and the arrangement for the players of the 14 participating teams. The number of days required for dress rehearsals
were also discussed.
The ICC delegation spent a long time at the presidential box and the hospitality box, apart from watching the renovation works of the press box and the entire stadium.
ICC inspection committee started their last leg of inspection from November 21 and is due to submit its report after finishing the inspection. They will visit the Chittagong divisional stadium today and the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
‘At this stage we are not commenting on anything. We have just finished the inspection of the venue that will stage the opening ceremony and will give our report to our office,’ said Sami-ul-Hasan, IUCC media and communications operations manager.
