The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Second Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games '2008, involving West Bengal of India and hosts Bangladesh, begins here on Friday (Feb 22) at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) with hosts Bangladesh hoping to win 40 out of the 67 gold medals at stake.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will inaugurate the five-day meet in the afternoon at a gala opening ceremony.

Some 469 athletes and officials, including 231 from West Bengal, will battle for 67 gold medals of the game's second version in nine disciplines -- athletics, swimming, shooting, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, kho kho, football and cricket.

Of the nine disciplines, both men's and women's events have been included in four disciplines -- football, shooting, athletics and swimming. Cricket, the most favourite game in the subcontinent, has been included in the ensuing Games for the first time.

The West Bengal team of India will reach Bangladesh Wednesday (Feb 20) morning by bus through Benapole border. On their way to capital Dhaka, the Bengal team will be accorded receptions at six points -- Benapole border, Jessore, Magura, Faridpur, Rajbari and Manikganj.

The details of the Games were disclosed by acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Kutubuddin Ahmed at a crowded press conference at the NSC conference room on Monday afternoon.

BOA senior Vice President and former whip Mizanur Rahman Manu, BOA deputy Secretary General and Chef-De-Mission of Bangladesh contingent Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu, and BOA member and media committee chairman M Azizul Haque also spoke on the occasion.

BOA deputy secretaries general SM Imtiaz Khan Babul and Ishtiaque Ahmed Karen, General Team Manager of Bangladesh Contingent and BOA member Anisur Rahman Dipu were present.

Chef-De-Mission of Bangladesh contingent and former celebrated fooballer Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu said: "Bangladesh team is well prepared this time than before and this time we are looking for 40 gold medals."

BOA acting Secretary General Kutubuddin Ahmed informed that an estimated Tk 3.17 crore had been allocated for the two-nation Indo-Bangla Games. Of the amount, Tk 1.10 crore was earmarked for the training purposes of Bangladesh team.

The four-and-half hour opening ceremony will start at 3:30pm soon after arrival of the chief guest at the stadium, followed by landing of four paratroopers of Bangladesh Army carrying the flags of Bangladesh, India, BOA and Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games.

BOA President and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed, BOA Secretary General, State Minister for Sports and Transport of West Bengal Subhash Chakraborty will address the ceremony before the Chief Adviser, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, declares the meet open.

Popular band star Ayub Bachchu will present the theme song written by Major (retd) Anis while the opening ceremony will also feature a 10-minute laser show.

Performers of Shilpakala Academy will present traditional songs and dances during the 30-minute function prior to massive fireworks at the country's premier stadium.

Artistes of Kolkata cultural teams will stage a 20-minute show.

A live concert, led by Ayub Bachchu, will be another attraction of the opening ceremony. The concert will begin at 6:30 pm at the big bowl.

A dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony will be held on Wednesday (Feb 20) afternoon at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

But surprisingly, there is no provision for lighting torch at the opening function, nor a closing ceremony.

Games venues:

Football (men's and women's) - Dhaka, Narsingdi and Narayanganj; shooting - BKSP, athletics - Army Stadium in Banani; swimming - Mirpur National Swimming Pool; basketball - Mirpur Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium/BKSP; kho kho - Outer Stadium; kabaddi - Kabbadi Stadium; volleyball - Dhaka and Gazipur; and Twenty/20 cricket - Bogra, Rajshahi and Fatullah.

Bangladesh earned 30 gold, 34 silver and 18 bronzes in the first Indo-Bangla Games held in Kolkata against West Bengal's 38 gold, 34 silver and 32 bronzes.