ABDULLAH AL MEHDI from Chattogram

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to upgrade existing facilities nationwide, especially at international venues. On Thursday, officials visited Chattogram to oversee the venue and discuss these developments.

While initial plans include upgrading outer ground wickets and indoor facilities, the greater focus is on constructing dormitories to house cricketers from U-14 through to first-class levels. The agenda aims to improve player security, comfort, and the logistical efficiency of the various programmes the board runs throughout the year.

BCB ad hoc committee president Tamim Iqbal and board members toured the facilities to discuss proceedings. While discussions initially centred on the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, the board intends to roll out these dormitories across major venues in eight divisions.

“We already have one [academy facilities] in Mirpur and in the eight to ten divisional venues in Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi, Bogura, Barishal and Cox’s Bazar, where many matches take place,” a BCB official noted. “We are considering 60–70 seat dormitories at these locations. The project will take five years to execute but will significantly reduce expenditure.”

Sources indicate that while the national league has sufficient funding, the budget for U-14 programmes is limited, making hotel accommodation difficult to facilitate.

Previous plans for full-fledged facilities in Cox’s Bazar -- including wickets, practice nets, gyms and dormitories -- were shelved, but the current board is now reviving the initiative. BCB facilities chairman Rafiqul Islam Babu confirmed the push, and sources added that the facilities are designed to endure despite changes in board leadership.

Unlike the national team, which utilises hotels, junior and women’s camps at major venues like Chattogram and Sylhet face ongoing accommodation challenges.

“If you have dormitories, the kids feel safe, as do their parents,” said cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees. “It allows us to maintain a proper environment and run educational programmes, which is always a logistical challenge under current circumstances. These programmes, covering etiquette, computing and English literacy, help prepare players for the national team.”

Practice facilities remain the immediate priority. The outer grounds at Chattogram, featuring 11 wickets and an adjacent indoor facility, will be cordoned off to ensure ample space for touring teams and Bangladesh Premier League franchises, while ventilation in the indoor centre is also being upgraded.