AS the nation, engulfed in the World Cup eupho-/Aria. showers praise and rewards on the cricketers for their superb showing against one of the game’s superpowers, it should pause to acknowledge the objective reality of sports affairs in the country. The sensational win against Pakistan, substantive in nature though, will still be regarded as a mere flash in the pan, unless and until we build on it to show the world that it isn’t so. To that effect, what is needed is a well-orchestrated approach .for an all-round development of the game. The prime minister’s speech at Friday’s civic reception accorded to players and officials on the national squad has certainly had a sense of direction, highlighting areas that deserve serious attention. Her government’s plans to introduce tournaments at the school and college level and upgrading the existing stadia as part of infrastructure development across the country have certainly touched the heart of the matter. What has been even more appealing was her avowed commitment to do more for the disabled people in sporting arena, some of whom have already won laurels in international competitions.

However, as it has happened before in the country, any new funding initiative in for development more often than not falls prey to wheeling and dealing by a certain group of people. Besides, certain issues generating controversy should be settled once and for all. The Bangabandhu National Stadium is certainly one of them. Currently, kind of a musical chair is going on between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on the possession of the stadium. The prime minister herself has been apparently oblivious of her commitment that the big bowl would be devoted full-time to cricket. The game would be better served if the uncertainty over the venue is done away with sooner than later. Equipped with the modern floodlighting system and the electronic scoreboard, the stadium has a lot of potential to generate revenue by staging international series. The government should make the most of it. With increased gate money the development of the game can be reasonably selffunded in course of time.

People who matter, we hope, would not let the euphoria smudge their vision of elevating the country to the much-coveted Test status.