Sylhet hub set up, but long road awaits BCB

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) launched its first regional office in Sylhet on January 3, marking a significant step towards decentralisation and grassroots cricket development, although several key operational elements are still being put in place.

BCB director from Sylhet division, Rahat Shams, acknowledged that the office will initially operate on a limited scale.

"Space has been allocated within the Sylhet [International Cricket] Stadium offices," Shams said, explaining that the setup would remain modest in its early phase. According to him, the structure will include a room for the Head of Cricket, a small lounge for counsellors, and a meeting room for divisional and district coaches, with existing facilities expected to cover most immediate requirements.

Staffing will also be gradual. Shams informed the office plans to recruit four to five staff members under BCB payroll to manage accounts, administration, logistics, and game development. Recruitment will begin with the appointment of the Head of Cricket for Sylhet, with a newspaper advertisement expected within the next five to seven days.

"The criteria include strong cricketing knowledge -- preferably an ex-player," he said, adding that leadership, governance, management, and communication skills would also be essential for the paid role.

Beyond infrastructure and staffing, the initiative aims to bring structural alignment to year-round cricket activities at the grassroots.

"This initiative is called the Regional Cricket Center," Shams said, noting that the model draws inspiration from systems in Australia, New Zealand, and India. The objective, he explained, is to ensure that talented players from rural areas and upazilas remain within the development pathway rather than dropping out due to a lack of organised opportunities.

To address seasonal challenges, Shams said plans are in place to ensure year-round training despite prolonged monsoon periods. Facilities such as indoor sheds or synthetic turfs will be arranged in coordination with local organisers to keep programmes running during the seven to eight months of the rainy season.

Financially, the Sylhet Regional Center will operate under a matching fund model with the BCB. "For every amount we raise locally, the BCB will provide an equal amount," Shams said, confirming that the centre will maintain a separate account and signatories.

He added that the BCB has already approved Tk 15 lakh as a matching fund after Sylhet raised the same amount through foreign remittances for the Sylhet First Division Cricket League 2025–26, which began on January 3 at the Sylhet District Stadium.

An additional Tk 7.5 lakh has been raised for a School Cricket Tournament, which the BCB will also match, with the competition scheduled to begin around mid-January.

Despite the progress, challenges remain in manpower and coaching depth. Shams acknowledged that Sunamganj and Moulvibazar still lack BCB-appointed district coaches, largely due to difficulties in finding suitable Level-1 certified candidates.

Although a Level-1 coaching course was held in Sylhet in late October, he stressed that standards would not be compromised. "You can't make a top coach overnight," Shams said, underlining why certification and selection processes will remain strict, with only deserving candidates progressing.