DHAKA, Sept 8, 2024 (BSS) - The district level cricketers have put a 16-point demand to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in a bid to increase the financial security and other opportunities for the players from the grassroots. 

Around 300 cricketers from different districts came to congratulate and present their demands to the new BCB president Faruque Ahmed today. But they were unable to meet the BCB chief as he was in Malaysia to attend the ACC meeting.

Later, they discussed the matter with BCB Director Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, who assured them of fulfilling these demands according to the board's ability.

 "I think the cricket board will try to fulfill things which are beneficial for cricket. The cricket board will do whatever it needs to do. We want to launch leagues at district level and want the teams to be created at district level. There should be proper wickets in every ground at the district level," Fahim said here today. 

"All decisions should be taken systematically and fairly because we want the cricketers to come out from district level. There should be intense competition at this level. The cricket board will surely look into these matters. We will also keep an eye on this. You can be sure of one thing that the cricket board will try its best. The board will be on your side so that you can highlight your talent by playing cricket. We'll evaluate everyone according to merit."

"All of the demands that you have put may not be fulfilled at this moment. We would like to do as much as possible."

Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, also a veteran coach, said that they want to bring coaches and cricketers from grassroots level. 
 
District-level leagues are managed by District Sports Association, which are mainly under the National Sports Council (NSC). Every district already has BCB age-wise and senior teams.

Shafiqur Rahman Shafi, a cricketer of the Dhaka's third division league, told the BSS that they put all their demands to BCB, hoping that the board will be sincere enough to fulfill all those demands.

 "The district leagues have been irregular for the past few years. We want it to be regular. Besides, increasing the quality of umpiring in the first division, second division and third division in Dhaka, the contract paper should be signed in official way. We have made several demands. Of those, there is also a demand to keep the opportunity to file a case against the club if they don't pay the dues."