Nagar Reporter: People have to face various kinds of ironies while watching the game at Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, which is about six kilometers from the city center. The biggest problem is the transportation system. There is no public transport in that area. Rickshaw-autorickshaws and private vehicles are relied upon. Because of this, unless it is a very important match, no one usually wants to go to Sagarika to watch a game. As seen in day and night matches, the gallery is almost empty before evening. Especially women spectators do not want to stay in the stadium till night.
The main reason for this is the shortage of vehicles. After coming out of the stadium and walking for about a kilometer and coming to the Sagarika intersection, the cars were seen, but the drivers charged sky-high fares. If the weather is unfavorable, the rental rate increases. The visitors who came to watch the game in the field said that shuttle bus service can be started from the center of the city to the stadium at least on the day of the game.
They think that this will increase the attendance of the stadium. It is to be noted that the initiative of the Chittagong district administration has recently launched a tourist bus service from the city to Patenga beach, which has received a great response among the travelers. Entry of food from outside is prohibited at Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The food available from hawkers inside is very poor quality, unhealthy and expensive. A very low quality sandwich or burger costs 60 rupees in the gallery which is available for 30 rupees outside. 35 rupees ice cream 50 rupees. A glass of water costs 10 rupees. Many fell ill in the gallery after eating stale and rotten food—which there was no one to supervise. The last major infrastructure renovation at the stadium was before the 2011 World Cup. Since then, the stadium has fallen into disrepair due to neglect. Many broken chairs in the gallery.
The press box desks are wobbly. Gallery toilets cannot be used due to dirt and stench. Female visitors may not want to use the toilet. Tall grass grows around the stadium. It seems that someone is cultivating grass there on a commercial basis. Garbage everywhere. Dirty water fell from some place on the second floor and the people below got wet.
The audience faced many ironies while watching the recently concluded Bangladesh-Afghanistan ODI series at the Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Sports Modi raised questions about the organization of winter sports cricket in full monsoon. Due to the rain, many people got into trouble while traveling to the stadium. Especially those who entered the stadium through gate number four on the west side were in a very deplorable condition.
Most of the roads were covered in mud. Many have questioned why the authorities did not renovate this road before the international series. Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Sagarika area of Pahartali Police Station, Chittagong was once known as Bir Shresh Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium, which was known as Divisional Stadium. The ICC U-19 World Cup was held in this stadium in 2004. That is why the stadium has been extensively modernized.
