A long-cherished ambition of establishing a multisport complex in Bangladesh took a significant step forward recently as the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) President and the Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, laid the foundation stone of the Bangladesh Olympic Complex in Trishal, Mymensingh (Municipality in Bangladesh).
‘The Daily Star’ stated that the proposed Olympic Complex will be built on 173.2 acres of land currently under the use of the Bangladesh Army and is planned to accommodate facilities for 33 sporting disciplines. The estimated cost of the full project ranges between Tk 35,000 crore and Tk 38,000 crore.
Dhaka (Bangladesh)-based the Bangladesh Olympic Association is the National Olympic Committee representing Bangladesh. It is also the body responsible for Bangladesh’s representation at the Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multisport event that brings together the athletes from across the Commonwealth of Nations, a political association comprising the majority of former territories of the British Empire.
‘The Daily Star’ further stated that the BOA has long expressed the need for a comprehensive training hub citing the lack of adequate gymnasiums, swimming facilities, accommodation, and modern training infrastructure for the athletes. Although a feasibility study was conducted several years ago to build such a complex on the banks of the Padma River in Munshiganj (town in Bangladesh) the initiative did not materialize. The project gained momentum last year following the intervention of General Waker-Uz-Zaman.
The Members of the past and present BOA Executive Committees visited the Trishal site several times before unanimously agreeing on the location situated about 26 kilometers from the Mymensingh town.
At the foundation laying ceremony the Project Director Lieutenant Colonel M Kutubuddin presented the master plan which includes three indoor and six outdoor venues along with a media center, athlete accommodation, the parking facilities, and the other supporting infrastructure. Although cricket was not initially included it is likely to be incorporated into the master plan following the BOA President’s expressed interest.
Maintained Zaman, “The Bangladesh Olympic Complex will become an international standard venue capable of hosting the major events including the Asian Games. Everything is ready, the only constraint is funding.”
He urged the Ministry of Youth and Sports to allocate the funds while adding that the BOA would also seek financial support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Gulf nations.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the international, non-Governmental sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas it is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The BOA Secretary General Jobayedur Rahman Rana said the complex would serve as a center for skill development and leadership helping Bangladesh establish a stronger presence on the international sporting stage.
The construction will be overseen by the 24 Engineer Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army with the US-based consultancy DLA advising the local firm Vitti Sthapati Brindo Limited. The project timeline and the final budget are yet to be approved by the Government.
Fairfield (US)-based the DLA is a leading consultancy firm that provides a wide range of specialized services designed to optimize the business operations and drive sustainable growth. The firm specializes in internal audit, risk advisory, information technology (IT) advisory, regulatory compliance, technical accounting, outsourced accounting, and other critical areas delivering tailored solutions that help the clients address their most pressing challenges.
The Vitti Sthapati Brindo Limited is a premier, award-winning architectural firm based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, established in 1991 and incorporated in 1993. Led by Architects Iqbal Habib and Ishtiaque Zahir the firm specializes in sustainable architecture, urban regeneration, landscape design, and master planning.
Said Iqbal Habib, Managing Director (MD), Vitti Sthapati Brindo Limited, “Primarily we require Tk 2000 crore for the Project-1 (which will feature an indoor stadium, land development and the other facilities) as well as need two-and-half-year time. However, we need Tk 35,000 to 38,000 crore to complete the full project within a time of five to six years.”
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