Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith yesterday assured that they will keep the crowd under control at Sylhet District Stadium during the Bangabandhu Gold Cup matches.
Muhith, who is the chairman of the tournament’s organising committee, held his first meeting as the committee chief at BFF House yesterday. Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin, senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy and vice presidents Kazi Nabil Ahmed and Tabith Awal were also present in the press conference.
“I am aware of what happened during an international match in Sylhet last time. The organisers assured me it will not be repeated this time. Ticket-selling as well as the crowd will be controlled,” said the Finance Minister after the meeting yesterday.
The Sylhet District Stadium experienced an unforgettable moment when it hosted its first ever international football friendly, between Bangladesh Under-23 and Nepal U-23 in September last year. While the capacity was less than 25,000, almost double that amount watched the friendly, many of those from the sidelines of the stadium.
“To appease the Sylhet people’s passion for football, a giant screen will be installed for the crowd outside the stadium beside Keane bridge on the bank of river Surma,” added Muhith.
The opening ceremony as well as the inaugural match of the long-awaited international competition will be held in Sylhet. The hosts will meet Malaysia Olympic team in the tournament opener this Thursday at 5pm. Singapore Olympic team will face Thailand Olympic side and Malaysia will take on Sri Lanka in the other two group matches to be held in Sylhet this Friday and Saturday respectively. The first semifinal will also be held in the north-eastern district on February 5.
