BCB cleans up untidy sports village

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken the initiative to clean up the Sports Village after finding rubbish, stagnant water and other problems at the facility where 84 players and officials are staying for the NCL Second XI.

The board had booked 47 rooms at the Sports Village for players and officials from four teams taking part in the tournament. After finding the premises in an unclean condition, BCB staff cleaned the area, sprayed mosquito repellent and repaired some non-functional air-conditioning units on Wednesday.

The National Cricket League (NCL) Second XI began on Wednesday to give cricketers who have not yet broken into first-class cricket, as well as players from Dhaka’s first, second and third divisions, an opportunity to develop their skills in the longer format.

The tournament features second XI teams from all eight divisions, with matches being played at the Purbachal National Cricket Ground, Pubergaon Krira Shikkha Protishtan (PKSP) and two grounds at BKSP.

The month-long competition has 84 players and officials from Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka and Chattogram staying at the Sports Village. The other four teams are accommodated at the trainees’ hostel at BKSP.

The accommodation arrangement had raised questions, prompting BCB Tournament Committee chairman Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir to explain the decision.

“There was no hotel in Dhaka with enough facilities to accommodate 84 people together. We have a maximum allocation of Tk3,000 for a twin-sharing room, but we could not find an air-conditioned twin-sharing room for less than Tk4,500 in Dhaka. Keeping the four teams in one place also makes transportation easier,” he told Daily Sun.

However, some problems became apparent after the players moved in. Rubbish and stagnant water were found on the building’s ledges and on the roofs of nearby buildings. The areas were cleaned and the stagnant water removed to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito repellent was also sprayed around the Sports Village.

The BCB has appointed two cleaners and two security personnel on each floor. It has also purchased 150 bed sheets and pillow covers at its own expense to replace the old ones.

BCB Tournament Committee manager Abu Imam Mohammad Kawser said Tk236 per person had been allocated for daily breakfast, with the money being provided to the Sports Village authorities.

Built in 1993, the Sports Village has previously been used to accommodate the Bangladesh national team during residential camps, as well as other national teams.

The facility, located next to the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, is now serving as the temporary home for four teams competing in the NCL Second XI.