Buzz on the Field
After many years, I was in Dhaka again, at the opening ceremony of the South Asian Games. India is a major participant with about 400 sportspersons and a dominating sporting presence. The Banga Bandhu Stadium in the heart of the city reminded me of Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium. It’s an elegant, intimate setting in the heart of the capital. The late afternoon opening ceremony in the cool winter was an enjoyable experience. The Bangladesh Olympic Committee had organised an inexpensive and near-perfect event. Almost 10,000 young people along with men from the forces in colourful costumes held an impressive display of dances and calisthenics accompanied by Tagore, Nazrul Islam and other songs of the land. This was followed by a water display with laser lights. Finally, there was a burst of fireworks, complex and pleasing.