The NCC Bank National Cycling Championship gets underway today amidst disagreement about holding the 34th edition of the meet on the athletic turf at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
“It is nothing new to hold a cycling competition on the athletic turf as we had earlier staged the competitions on turfs at the Mirpur Stadium and Army Stadium. We hope the turf will face no damage during the competition, but it will be exceptional if any incident happens there,” said Bangladesh Cycling Federation general secretary SM Imtiaz Khan Babul at a press conference at the Bangladesh Olympic Association yesterday.
The renovation and modernization work ahead of the ICC World Cup is being carried on at the BNS and the cycling meet will probably be staged in front of empty galleries.
“Considering the traffic jams in the city as well as security for the women cyclists, we have chosen this venue and the authority concerned told us that a portion of the gallery will be open for the spectators,” said Babul.
Some 250 cyclists from 19 teams from numerous districts, service teams and one university are expected to take part in the meet, which was last held in 2008 at the outer stadium in Paltan, said the speakers at a press conference at the BOA Bhaban yesterday.
The four-day meet will consist of 23 events — 12 for men’s and 11 for women’s.
“It is the biggest competition in term of the participation compared with the last two meets. BJMC has returned to the race after a long period and Bangladesh Army is set to debut in the cycling. Considering those things, I believe cycling has a bright future in Bangladesh,” said BCF president and BOA vice chairman Mizanur Rahman Manu.
Of estimated budget of 16 lakh, sponsor National Credit and Commerce Bank will provide only Tk 5 lakh while co-sponsors Ashiyan City, Palolic Group and South East Bank will provide the rest.
NCC Bank senior vice president ATM Faruque Chowdhury, BCF vice president Mohidul Islam and media partner ATN’s advisor Nawajhesh Khan were among others present.
