Stadium in Purbachal renamed as 'National Cricket Ground'

 
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the renaming of the Sheikh Hasina International Cricket Stadium in Purbachal to the National Cricket Ground (NCG).

The decision came during the BCB's 18th board meeting held on Monday.

The "Boat"-themed stadium project, financed entirely by the BCB, has faced numerous delays and setbacks since its inception several years ago. Last August, the tender process for the construction work was even cancelled.

BCB Media Committee Chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Mithu confirmed the name change at a press conference following the meeting.

"In today's meeting, we discussed many things and took several decisions," Iftikhar stated. "As you know, there has been a notification from the government. In response to that, we have changed the name of Sheikh Hasina Stadium... from now on it will be called NCG, National Cricket Ground. This has been done."

However, the stadium's boat-shaped design, the electoral symbol of the previous Sheikh Hasina government, will remain unchanged despite the shifting political climate.

Earlier, Country's premier and historic sports venue Bangabandhu National Stadium renamed as National Stadium, Dhaka on February 15.
The stadium was constructed in 1954 at the Palton area of the capital named as "Dhaka Stadium". Before the Independence of Bangladesh and Pakistan national cricket team played a test match there.

After the Independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the stadium became the center point of all major sports activities and different national programs.
The SAFF Games, Mini World Cup Cricket (Championship Trophy), Bangladesh's inaugural test match in 2000, International Cricket and Football matches and tournaments were held at the stadium alongside other sports and national programs.

Later, the Stadium renamed as Bangabandhu National Stadium in place of Dhaka Stadium in 1998 during the Awami League Government.
For the next few years Football shifted to Mirpur Stadium and Cricket at the Dhaka/ Stadium. From 2005, Cricket permanently shifted to Mirpur Stadium and Football and Athletics at the Dhaka Stadium.

On February 12, the NSC also changed the name of 150 upazila stadiums like other government establishment named after the head of previous government and her family.