The local District Sports Association (DSA) approved the two non-sporting events in the lone internationally reputed venue in the country's northern headquarters apparently to entertain the interests of the ruling party and to raise funds for the cash-starved DSA itself.

Witnesses said that the workers of Rajshahi City Corporation have been working round the clock to set the stage for the February 9 union representatives divisional council, which BNP's first joint secretary general Tarique Rahman is likely to attend as chief guest.

Concrete toilets and makeshift hotels have sprung up like mushrooms inside the stadium, which was renovated by the National Sports Council (NSC) a couple of years ago.

"The international standard ground will not be ready for even local use for a few months let alone international games following the huge excavation," said a stadium official.

The on-going Second Division Cricket League has also been shifted from the venue to the at Rajshahi Medical College Hostel field.

The Rajshahi Town Protection Movement decried the excavation and demanded shifting of the council venue from the stadium.

When contacted, the Rajshahi DSA general secretary Khondoker Mainul Islam said that the deputy commissioner made the decision.

The DC of Rajshahi Sayed Ahsanul Haque, who is also the ex-officio president of the Rajshahi DSA, said that it was done in the best interest of the district sports association.

"The Rajshahi City Corporation is erecting those makeshift facilities for the month-long fair than anything else," he said.

The fair, designed to raise funds for the Independence Day football tournament, will start on February 11.