The construction of Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar has become uncertain because of a land dispute between the tourism ministry and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the possession of 32 hectares of land in the district.
The BCB plans to use the land to construct the permanent stadium, but the ministry is seeking to build a five-star hotel on the land to develop the area’s tourism industry.
Earlier, the BCB was temporarily allotted a plot of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation to arrange matches of the 2014 ICC Women’s World Twenty20, which is scheduled to take place in the district from March 16 to April 6 next year.
But, officials now wanted to construct a permanent cricket stadium on the field, with construction on 22.26 hectares of land almost nearing its end.
However, the tourism ministry is seeking to approve a mega-project proposed by the Inter Asia Group Pte Ltd that includes the construction of a five star hotel, tourism resorts and an 18-hole international-standard golf course to tap into the area’s tourism potential.
Earlier on April 18, the BCB received the government’s permission to arrange matches of the women’s Twenty20 cricket tournament by building temporary establishments on Hotel Shaibal’s land, on condition of removing the structures at the end of the tournament at its own cost.
The same decision was taken in an inter-ministry meeting at the tourism ministry on July 11. It was also decided that the BCB or the youth and sports ministry could never claim the land as their own.
But, on April 19, a team led by BCB Chief Curator Mohammad Zahid Reza Babu allegedly grabbed possession of the land illegally and started constructing a permanent stadium with the seating capacity of 15,000 spectators.
Manager of Hotel Shaibal Mohammad Nurul Islam said: “The BCB was only given the land for holding the matches of Women’s World Twenty20 cricket tournament. They have to give the land back to the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.”
The development works of the mega-project would start soon after getting final approval from the government, he added.
However, Jasim Uddin, general secretary of Cox’s Bazar District Sports Organisation said: “The locals have been waiting seven to eight years for a stadium. They will protest if tourism ministry wants to withdraw the stadium.”
The stadium was named after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s brother Sheikh Kamal.
Earlier on September 3, the premier inaugurated the stadium along with 36 other development projects from a rally in Ukhia upazila. If constructed, it will be the eighth cricket venue of the country.
