After nominating ourselves to tag along with the crew competing in the sports, Sarah was enlisted as the event Physio and Si assisted as general dogs-body for the CRP team. The day began by loading a couple of wheelchairs onto a ute...!!!
Some of the other teams made their way to the arena by public transport. Don't be misled by the apparent good condition of this Tempo, they are generally only held together by the peeling paint work, and perhaps the conductor, who stands on the back step as they race along at break-neck speed through the streets of Dhaka.
We had an inkling of what was to come in the opening ceremony when we discovered this bag moving and spotted a pigeon's beak through an "air-hole". Even with this foresight, we were a little surprised to later witness 5 birds(!) being released from this one bag.
CRP had by far the biggest team at the event. All of the competitors paraded around the arena with the assistance of the support teams.
The event was officially opened once the flame had been lit.
One of the highlights was a wheelchair race which included 6 of the older guys from CRP (out of 7 competitors). Each race was organised during what appeared to be a rather heated discussion between several staff members of the rival teams... who then needed to be cleared from the field before the race could get underway.
Later in the day the teams flexed their muscles for the shotput event.
Prizes were handed out for each event, and as it turned out the Physio got one too. Our flat now contains 6 new high-quality glass tumblers.
The competitors (and bideshi support crew) had a great couple of days. It provided us with a really nice opportunity to get to know some of the people that we have seen around CRP for a while (and practice our Bangla). Many are now in training to attempt selection for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi. We wish them the best of luck.
Some of the other teams made their way to the arena by public transport. Don't be misled by the apparent good condition of this Tempo, they are generally only held together by the peeling paint work, and perhaps the conductor, who stands on the back step as they race along at break-neck speed through the streets of Dhaka.
We had an inkling of what was to come in the opening ceremony when we discovered this bag moving and spotted a pigeon's beak through an "air-hole". Even with this foresight, we were a little surprised to later witness 5 birds(!) being released from this one bag.
CRP had by far the biggest team at the event. All of the competitors paraded around the arena with the assistance of the support teams.
The event was officially opened once the flame had been lit.
One of the highlights was a wheelchair race which included 6 of the older guys from CRP (out of 7 competitors). Each race was organised during what appeared to be a rather heated discussion between several staff members of the rival teams... who then needed to be cleared from the field before the race could get underway.
Later in the day the teams flexed their muscles for the shotput event.
Prizes were handed out for each event, and as it turned out the Physio got one too. Our flat now contains 6 new high-quality glass tumblers.
The competitors (and bideshi support crew) had a great couple of days. It provided us with a really nice opportunity to get to know some of the people that we have seen around CRP for a while (and practice our Bangla). Many are now in training to attempt selection for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi. We wish them the best of luck.
