The common sports lovers will not be able to witness the grand opening ceremony of the upcoming eighth Bangladesh Games which is scheduled to begin on
April 20 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
`There are no tickets for the common people. We will only issue passes and VIP cards for the sports-related personalities,’ said Harunur Rashid, chairman of the Games’ steering committee on Tuesday.
The estimated budget of the opening ceremony is close to about Tk 11 crore and more than 24, 500 viewers will get the opportunity to observe the big-budgeted opening ceremony but no common people will get the chance to glimpse the gala program even though the officials earlier demanded that the Games was being held for the general people.
Nearly 8, 000 participants in 31 disciplines will be taking part in the march prior to the opening ceremony and a seating arrangement has been reserved for all the athletes to enjoy the opening ceremony.
2500 boys and girls, who will be participating in the program, will also get the opportunity of viewing the grand spectacle.
The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) will grant 5000 VIP cards for distinguished guests and political persons.
The 31 federations will collect another 5000 passes, event management company Asiatic Events will get a little more than one thousand passes and nearly 2500 sports stars, who were rewarded different awards in the past will also receive the special passes along with some school and college students.
`In such a grand occasion, it is tough for us to assemble complimentary tickets for everyone since the majority of the sports personalities are from our circuit,’ said BOA acting general secretary, Ashikur Rahman Miku on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the participation of the different athletes of all the disciplines is increasing with each passing day. A couple of days ago, there were about 7, 000 athletes but till yesterday, more than 1, 000 have registered their names.
The member secretary of the technical committee, wing commander Rafiqul Islam informed that the number might increase to 10, 000 before the start of the Games. The figure significantly increased because of the high interest among athletes in the districts outside Dhaka.
The chairman of the co-ordination committee, Mizanur Rahman Manu also notified that athletics will have to take place in the beginning of the Games after a scuffle between Bangladesh Cycling Federation and Bangladesh Athletics Federation.
31 disciplines will be held in 27 different venues while the participants will fight for 346 gold medals among a total of 1515 medals available.
Imtiaz Khan Babul, chairman of the gift committee informed that there will be a torch rally throughout 64 districts and seven divisions of the country in two days’ time where 100 t-shirts and caps will be distributed.
Babul went on to say that all the athletes and officials in the Games will receive tracksuits, caps and t-shirts for the very first time in the Games’ history.
-With New Age input
