The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Officials of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Sunday inspected the reception venue at Benapole in Jessore, where the West Bengal sports team for the ensuing Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games will be received.

The BOA officials, led by its vice president and Games coordination committee chairman Mizanur Rahman Manu, also included BOA deputy secretary general and accommodation committee chairman Imtiaz Khan Babul and reception committee member secretary Rafiqul Islam Tipu.

During the visit, they exchanged views with the local BDR officials on how to make a success of the reception programme.

The West Bengal sports team will arrive here on February 20 to participate in the five-day Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games that will begin on February 22.

After the first reception at Benapole to be accorded by the BDR, the touring Indian contingent on their way to Dhaka by road will be given separate receptions at Jessore, Magura, Faridpur, Rajbari and Manikganj by the respective district administrations and DSAs.

Meanwhile, the logo of the 2nd version of the meet will be unveiled on Tuesday at 3:30 pm at the National Sports Council (NSC) conference room. BOA acting secretary general Kutubuddin Ahmed will formally unveil the logo.

Besides, the ceremonies committee of the Games will visit the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) on Wednesday, where the opening ceremony will be held. Ceremonies committee chairman and Bangladesh Rifles Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed will later preside over a committee meeting, also at the BNS.

The 2nd Indo-Bangla Games will have nine events-athletics, swimming, shooting, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, kho kho, football and cricket. Of these, only cricket will feature in the meet for the first time.

Earlier, the first Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games was held in Kolkata in February 2007.