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A political worry

SPORTS REPORTER
State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman made a passionate appeal to all concerned to make the forthcoming ICC U/19 World Cup a grand success as political clouds started gathering over the event's schedule.
The 16-team mega event comprising under 19 selections of the ten Test countries and six associate members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) on February 10 and matches get underway from February 15 around the country.
However, the main opposition party Awami League has already announced a nationwide daylong strike on February 12 in favour of its 15-point demand.
Rahman was concerned about the atmosphere around BNS and the Paltan Maidan in particular as major rallies and public gatherings usually take place there. The area is also a political hot spot.
"The Paltan Maidan and places adjacent to the BNS will not be allowed for holding processions or rallies from February 2 until the end of the ICC U/19 World Cup," announced Rahman at a press conference yesterday.
"We took the decision to bring about a sporting atmosphere there ahead of the tournament. We gave
our full support when we were in the opposition during the ICC Mini World Cup in 1998. So we expect the same kind of gesture from the opposition parties this time," said Rahman who is also the chairman of the National Sports Council which owns the whole complex including the BNS, the Paltan Maidan and a number of other facilities.
Rahman regretted the sorry environment that surrounds the BNS and admitted that it has turned for the worse in recent times.
"I've learnt that even heroin is sold there in broad daylight. I have had a talk with the Home Ministry and I can assure you that the situation will drastically change within the next two to three days," he said.
"We will talk with all the political parties if required because it is our challenge as a nation to hold the meet smoothly. We have already sent letters to different political parties and concerned agencies requesting their cooperation," said Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Ali Asghar.
Asghar informed that the staterun Bangladesh Television (BTV) would telecast nine matches and the inaugural function live.
"The Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) has sold the television rights to SONY-Max and BTV will buy the telecast rights from them," said Asghar.
BCB's cricket committee chairman Mahbubul Anam informed that the Nepal cricket team will be the first to arrive for the World Cup. The squad of the associate member country is expected to reach Dhaka tomorrow. They will play five practice matches against the Bangladesh Under 19 team leading up to the competition.