PM orders cricket stadium at Purbachal, international arena at Ramu

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered construction of a specialised cricket stadium in Dhaka’s Purbachal and an international stadium at Cox’s Bazar’s Ramu Upazila.

The orders come following Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI series win against Pakistan on Sunday.

Hasina kicked off the regular Cabinet meet at the Secretariat on Monday lauding the Tigers.

The stadiums would be built within the next two years, State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder told bdnews24.com.

He quoted the prime minister as saying “There is space in Purbachal. Build an international stadium there only for cricketers. It should be able to accommodate 30,000 spectators.”

She also reportedly ordered for the stadium in Ramu to be built beside the new army cantonment with a seating capacity of 100,000. 

The planning minister had urged the seating capacity to be lowered considering costs.

The state minister added that he had instructed the National Sports Council immediately after the meeting. 

“We have collected the map of Purbachal from Rajuk. The Council’s engineer and secretary will visit the location tomorrow [Tuesday]. The plan for the [cricket stadium] will be finalised within a month.”

He added he would be visiting Ramu on Apr 26 to see the site for the new stadium there.

Sikder added that Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium would be opened for other sports after the one in Purbachal was built. 

“The prime minister has asked us to emphasise more on hockey, archery and shooting.”