Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Dhaka, Oct 27: Bangladesh may be organising the Wills Mini World Cup, but they have had to pay a big price for it. Opposition parties are baying for the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s ruling government as they feel such expenditure is not justified when the nation has been hit by the century’s worst floods and the economy stands ruined.
“The night of the tournament’s final (November 1) will be the darkest night in our nation’s history as the hole in our economy will be bigger,” said a note printed outside the Bangabandhu Stadium here.
Though the tournament is being organised by the International Cricket Council with Wills as sponsors and the Bangladesh Cricket Board as co-host, the world cricket body will take all proceeds from the event.
Considering the astronomical TV revenues, sponsorship fees and advertisement collections, the ICC will be richer. But what does it leave for Bangladesh?
A mere five-six crores takas in the form of gate collections. That’s peanuts when compared with the ICC’s booty.Who gains from ICC’s globalistaion mantra? Certainly not Bangladesh, on whose soil the tournament is being played and whose cricketers, rather than being invited to participate in the tournament, are scrambling for a ticket or two.
Bangladesh have been officially recognised by the ICC and play One-day internationals off and on. Then why not here? Did France not play in the soccer World Cup, being the hosts? If Bangladesh were to play here, the ICC would have served its purpose.
In fact, ICC officials are the real bosses here, running the show, leaving very little for the Bangladesh board. Many a time, local officials are seen running around seeking ICC guidelines.
The government is reported to have spent something like 16-18 crore takas through the National Sports Council on upgrading facilities here. Old floodlights have been replaced, an electronic scoreboard has been installed and the stands, the ground and the pavilion have been touched up.
Besides, the Bangladesh Cricket Board isexpected to incur an expenditure of another three-four crores takas in the nine-day event. This, hence, is a unique case of the hosts (rather co-hosts), losing something like 400 per cent of the money invested.
Another problem facing the locals here is the power shortage. It has become more acute as the powermen have had to resort to load-shedding with the matches being played day-night under lights.
An amusing revelation was the fact that the officials of the Dhaka electricity board had not received passes for the event.
A government spokesman, on condition of anonymity, said there were protests from within the government itself. “Nobody wants to earn public’s wrath. If the opposition continues in its protests then it will be difficult for the government to face the public.”
The Sheikh Hasina government will not have to do much answering till the completion of the tournament as long as people here are prepared to spend upto two lakh takas for a non-air-conditoned eight-seater box.
Once thetournament finishes and ICC coffers overflow, the government would find it difficult to come to terms with ground realities.
