Sculptures of cricketers in the Nimtala area of Chittagong photo: Dhaka Tribune
Pimple Barua, Chittagong
Publish : 13 Oct 2021, 11:06 AMUpdate : 14 Dec 2021, 08:39 PM
The sculptures of 11 Bangladesh national team cricketers at the Nimtala area of Chittagong city have fallen into disrepair due to neglect and lack of maintenance.
According to Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) sources, the sculptures were made by the advertising agency Bioscope under an initiative of the CCC on the occasion of the 2011 World Cup.
At the time, the CCC spent around Tk41 crore to decorate and place various sculptures in different parts of the city. The funds were provided by the Ministry of Local Government.
Most of the sculptures are now grey and faded.
One sculpture is now completely missing, while parts of the others have broken off. The colour of the jerseys has faded, and the label Bangladesh is no longer visible at all.
Cricket fans have lamented the poor condition of the sculptures when the team itself has been putting up strong performances on the pitch.
Ashraful Islam, a cricket fan waiting for a bus beside the sculpture, said: “Bangladesh is now known around the world for its cricket. The players are bringing home one success after another. Such a poor condition of the sculptures hurts cricket lovers like us.”
He urged the authorities to repair the sculptures as soon as possible.
Speaking on the issue, Shahidul Alam, CCC's chief executive officer, said: “The sculptures will fall between a pair of entrance and exit ramps to the elevated expressway, the construction of which is currently in progress. We are currently unable to make a conclusion about the sculptures without consulting experts. Once the elevated expressway construction is completed, it will be easy to start a renovation project.”
Tigers’ sculptures left in disrepair
The sculptures of 11 Bangladesh national team cricketers at the Nimtala area of Chittagong city have fallen into disrepair due to neglect and lack of maintenance.
According to Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) sources, the sculptures were made by the advertising agency Bioscope under an initiative of the CCC on the occasion of the 2011 World Cup.
At the time, the CCC spent around Tk41 crore to decorate and place various sculptures in different parts of the city. The funds were provided by the Ministry of Local Government.
Most of the sculptures are now grey and faded.
One sculpture is now completely missing, while parts of the others have broken off. The colour of the jerseys has faded, and the label Bangladesh is no longer visible at all.
Cricket fans have lamented the poor condition of the sculptures when the team itself has been putting up strong performances on the pitch.
Ashraful Islam, a cricket fan waiting for a bus beside the sculpture, said: “Bangladesh is now known around the world for its cricket. The players are bringing home one success after another. Such a poor condition of the sculptures hurts cricket lovers like us.”
He urged the authorities to repair the sculptures as soon as possible.
Speaking on the issue, Shahidul Alam, CCC's chief executive officer, said: “The sculptures will fall between a pair of entrance and exit ramps to the elevated expressway, the construction of which is currently in progress. We are currently unable to make a conclusion about the sculptures without consulting experts. Once the elevated expressway construction is completed, it will be easy to start a renovation project.”
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