A match between Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra was being held in Bashundhara Kings Arena of the capital, where the spectators were enjoying the game whole-heartedly and applauding the players’ performances with huge clapping and roar. Not only has this game, every game held at this area attracted huge attention from ardent crowds.

Regarding it, Imrul Hasan, the president of Bashundhara Kings, said, “Bashundhara Sports Complex is rising itself as the center-place of all kinds of local and foreign games. It will provide facilities for all conventional games and sports by its international standard cricket stadium, hockey stadium, Golf Course, swimming complex including diving facility. The Bashundhara Sport complex was cropped up on 350 bighas of land in Bashundha Residential Area of the capital, which includes wide roads, separate parking facility and strict security systems for both the players the and spectators." 

From the visit at Bashundhara Sports Complex, the reporters found that the construction works were going on all of its sides. The work of lying concrete, setting glasses is going on which was clearly visible from the roof adjacent to swimming complex. The place has got a new form with beautiful structures, green trees and grasses. The construction work of cricket and hockey stadium, along with golf complex is going on in full swing.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan once was a hockey player, who led the youth hockey team of the then East Pakistan. Everyone knows his ardent love for sports sector. His elder brother Abdus Sadek was also a big star of football and hockey. Dhaka Abahani started its journey in these two sport under the leadership of Abdus Sadek. He was also the first captain of national hockey team. One of the sons of Bashundhara Group chairman, Sayem Sobhan Anvir, is the president of renowned club Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra. Another son, Safwan Sobahan is the president of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, which is another big name in country’s sports.

Imrul Hasan said, “Arrangements for All the conventional games will be facilitated in this sports complex. Besides the football ground, we’ve a good cricket ground, where various tournaments are held regularly. BPL team Rangpur Riders also practiced in this ground. Furthermore, the construction work of a full-fledged cricket stadium, with the capacity of 30,000 people is also going on. We’re making two cricket grounds— one for practicing, and another one is fully stadium. We’ve seen the Bangladesh Games suffer a lot due to accommodation problems and holding various games in different locations. The games could use our sports complex as a venue upon its construction and it will go a long way to solve the existing problems. The cafeteria and Green Park can cater various needs to the events of Bangladesh Games. Moreover, the complex will be a family recreation center for people of all ages. Three basketball courts are present here, which can be used for other sports because of its alteration characteristics. To facilitate holding games and other purposes, all time electricity facility will be ensured here. Through a power station of 6 megawatt and connection with DESCO and generators, the telecast of games won’t be hampered even for a minute." 

Bashundhara Kings Arena  

The best football ground has been created in Bashundhara Sports Complex, which is named as ‘Bashundhara Kings Arena.’ The ground has been catering as the home venue for three times football league winner Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra. Bashundhara Kings Arena has been built as international standard football ground according to the standard of FIFA and AFC. The gallery beside the ground can accommodate 12,000 spectators at a time. It will include international standard floodlight system and dressing rooms, along with VIP box, press conference rooms and all kinds of telecast system. Surely, Bashundhara Kings Arena can be stood out as a world class football arena among all the football stadiums in the country.

The present coach of national football team, Havier Cabrera, upon visiting Kings Arena, said, “It’s an outstanding ground.” Besides, many other sports personalities also exclaimed their wonder after visiting it. The ground will be free of rain-water even just after 15-20 minutes of rain because of its modern drainage system.  Moreover, there will be another football ground in south zone of the complex. Even, futsal field will be there in north and south zone.

Cricket Stadium

An eye-catchy, mesmerizing cricket stadium is being built in Bashundhara Sports Complex, which could accommodate 2,500 spectators in its gallery primarily. International standard dressing rooms will be available for home and away teams. A cricket stadium according to the ICC standard will be constructed in south zone of the sports complex. Its gallery could accommodate 30,000 spectators. In addition to dressing room, press box, there will be special arrangement for ACSU, the corruption-prevention unit of ICC. In the off season, concert and circus could be arranged here. 12 indoor and 12 outdoor net practice facilities will be available here.

Hockey Stadium

Special arrangement for hockey will be made in Bashundhara Sports Complex. A hockey stadium will be constructed according to the standard of FIH in south zone of the complex. Floodlights, a modern dressing room and a gallery of 10,000 capacities will be included in the project. The hockey stadium located in the sports complex will pave the way of advancement for country’s hockey to a new horizon. The Hockey Federation could hold various domestic competitions here if they want. Former star national hockey player Russel Mahmud Jimmy said, “We haven’t ample fields for playing hockey. However, the Bashundhara Group can be said a ‘Hockey Family’ and I believe, there will be new components in their upcoming hockey ground and it will contribute in the development of country’s hockey.” 

Bashundhara Golf

Bashundhara Golf is being constructed in the south zone of Bashundhara Sports Complex, where 144 golfers can practice at a time. It will be a golf field of 200 meters long driving range and 40 T-ing areas. Besides, modern dressing room and lighting facilities are available.

International standard 18 holes mini gold course and many others adventure elements are included in this golf course built in ‘Castle Night’ theme. The city dwellers will have the chance to come into it to learn golf; especially the residents of Bashndhara Residential area will get priority in doing so. VIP lounge, coffee shops, business meeting rooms and conference rooms will cater the different needs of different class of people.

Arrangements of indoor games

Indoor games are very much valued in the world of sports. People have a strong interest in various sports including table tennis, basketball, badminton, futsal, handball, volleyball, squash, snooker, pool, shooting and swimming. The winners of these games achieved worldwide fame. There is an extra focus on them in the Olympics. Bashundhara Sports Complex also has various indoor games. An excellent indoor complex is being developed in the north zone of Bashundhara Sports Complex. Apart from the Olympic size swimming pool, there is a squash court, gymnasium and multi-purpose sports court. The complex will have three international standard squash courts. One and a half hundred spectators can enjoy this game. Two gymnasiums of 5 thousand square feet will be built here, which will have all the modern equipment. Multipurpose sports court will host various games. Three basketball courts, four badminton courts, one each for futsal and handball and two volleyball courts can be played in this 50 by 50 meter court. Sports like yoga studio, taekwondo, karate, judo can also be done here.

Swimming Pool in accordance with Olympic standard

Who doesn't know about Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz and Ian Thorpe. They became world famous by their success in swimming. It is also possible to produce world class swimmers in Bangladesh. Who does not know about Brazen Das! This Bangladeshi swimmer made a name for him by crossing the English Channel. Bashundhara Sports Complex also hosts world-class swimming events.

An Olympic size swimming pool is being built in the complex. There will be a 50 meter swimming pool. There will be an Olympic size swimming pool of 8 lanes according to International Swimming Organization FINA standards. There are HVEC process air condition, water heating process, modern dressing room and various other facilities in these swimming infrastructures. A 20 meter swimming pool with 6 lanes is being constructed according to FINA standards which are also in accordance to Olympic size.

What’s more the sports complex offers

Bashundhara Sports Complex is organizing many more sports. Along with the 90m outdoor archery range, there is also a 25m indoor range. There will be three hard surface tennis courts as per ITA standards. Basketball, volleyball and kabaddi courts are in compliance with international standards. There will be opportunities to play futsal. These courts will have all the modern facilities. There is also a beautiful park to enjoy the natural beauty.

Truly, Bashundhara Sports Complex is going to set a rare example in Asia.

@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on February 23 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque