Olympic Stadium, Sports Complex to be built along Padma: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday the government was drawing up a master plan to build an Olympic Stadium and a Sports Complex on the bank of the Padma River, reports UNB.
The Prime Minister was addressing a function marking the handover of cheques among Bangladesh cricketers at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Hasina expressed her high hope that Bangladesh would clinch the Cricket World Cup in near future as it was advancing fast as in all other sectors. "We've already proved our capability by defeating some World Cup winners…this is not an easy job at all," she said.
An amount of Tk 820.359 million (over 82 crore) was distributed among the players, coaches and other officials of the cricket team for their outstanding performance in the Cricket World Cup and the recent series against Pakistan.
About the strength of the Bangladesh cricket team, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh were no longer minnows. "No one could neglect Bangladesh cricket team now…all have to count our team," she said.
Hasina also said the days of showing utter negligence to Bangladesh team by mighty teams were gone. "Now all have to respect our team, whenever they play against us."
In this connection, she mentioned that the Bangladesh cricket team of physically-challenged cricketers also showed their outstanding performance in their games.
Talking about the recent series against India, the Prime Minister said although she could not went to the field due to her illness her mind was always there in the field. "I watched all the games against the Indian team," she said.
The Prime Minister advised the players to play sincerely against the South African team from today (Sunday). Bangladesh will play two T20, three ODI and two Test matches against South Africa.
"County's prestige and honour is in your hand, but I don't want to put you under mental pressure…there's always win and loss in games, but you have to play your best, that's it," she said.
Hasina mentioned that in the field it is the only job of the players to show their respective skill and efficiency. "You'll have to remember we're the nation of winners, we have to keep our head high…we attained our victory in 1971 through Liberation War."
She said praised the cricket team as they brightened the country's image further before the whole world.
Terming the Tigers the country's golden sons, the Prime Minister advised them not to undermine or fear any team. "Face them as opponents," she said.
Hasina urged the cricketers to always keep in mind that Bangladesh is a nation which earned victory through long struggle and war. "We must be confident about win both in the sports and other arenas."
She assured them of giving her government's all-out support for development of the cricket and other sports saying another two big cricket stadiums-one in Cox's Bazar and another on the bank of the Padma River, would be constructed.
BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon and Bangladesh Cricket Team captain Mashrafee Bin Murtaza also spoke on the occasion.
Later, the Bangladesh Cricket Team presented an autographed bat to the Prime Minister.