PM seeks ICC, ECB help for dev of Bangladesh cricket

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday sought cooperation and assistance from International Cricket Council (ICC) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the development of cricket in Bangladesh, reports UNB.
She also sought support from the ICC so that Bangladesh could participate in the Champions Trophy.
The Prime Minister sought the assistance and cooperation when ICC President David Morgan with his delegation called on her at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
ICC media and communication head Coline Givson, ECB chief executive David Collier, MCC president John Barclay and MCC assistant secretary Simo Swift were included in the ICC delegation.
Ambassador at large M Ziauddin, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president AHM Mustafa Kamal MP, Principal Secretary MA Karim, PMO secretary Molla Waheeduzaman and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad were, among others, present during the meeting.
Hasina said that Bangladesh was very appreciative of the MCC's training and cricket education exchange programmes with Bangladesh. She sought more initiatives in this regard from MCC to help the country's youngsters.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh was confident of presenting to the world a colourful opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and will make every effort to ensure that the event will be a successful one.
She sought the ICC and ECB support so that Bangladesh could get more home and away matches against stronger teams in the ICC's Future Tour Programmes (FTP).
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad briefed the reporters after the meeting.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh got the Test cricket status during her previous tenure, when her government had extended all out cooperation for the development of sports, especially cricket.
She said that the present government was very much sincere about the development of sports and would do everything possible for this sector.
The ICC chief appreciated the enthusiasm of the Prime Minister about the development of cricket in Bangladesh.
He said the cricket of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was doing very well and this development was very much encouraging.
Mr Morgan assured that ICC would extend all sorts of cooperation for the development of Bangladesh's cricket.