The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Tuesday unveiled the logo of the ensuing 2nd Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games at a simple ceremony at the National Sports Council (NSC) conference room.

BOA acting secretary general Kutubuddin Ahmed unveiled the logo, which carried the slogan `Sports for Friendship'.

BOA vice president and Games coordination committee chairman Mizanur Rahman Manu, deputy secretary general and accommodation committee chairman Imtiaz Khan Babul, deputy secretary general Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu and Chief Operating Officer Col. (retd) M Wali Ullah, and representatives of different Games committees were present on the occasion.

Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu has been named Chef de Mission of the Bangladesh contingent and Anisur Rahman the General Team Manager.

Talking about the background of the Games, BOA acting secretary general Kutubuddin Ahmed said: "Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) boss Ranbir Singh initially proposed us to be associated with such kind of Games… we participated in the 1st (Indo-Bangla) Games held in Kolkata last year."

He said the members of the Bangladesh contingent are undergoing a practice camp for the last three months and hoped that they would bring a better result this time.

The 2nd Indo-Bangla Games will feature nine disciplines -- athletics, swimming, shooting, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, kho kho, football and cricket. Of these, there will be men's and women's events in four disciplines -- football, shooting, athletics and swimming. Besides, cricket has been included in the meet for the first time this year.

Events and venues: Shooting - BKSP, athletics - Banani Army Stadium, swimming - Mirpur National Swimming Pool, basketball - Mirpur Shahid Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, kho kho - Outer Stadium, kabaddi - Kabbadi Stadium, 20/20 cricket - Bogra and Rajshahi, and volleyball - Dhaka and Gazipur.

The BOA acting secretary general informed that Olympic Council Asia (OCA) has donated US$ 20,000 to BOA for the Games.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the South Asian Olympic Committee (SAOC) will be held on February 22 in the capital with BOA president and Army Chief Gen. Moeen U Ahmed in the chair. Representatives of the nine member countries will attend the meeting.

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 Feb 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.