The local segment of the competition organised by F1 Management Ltd kicked off last Friday at Bashundhara City and will end today.

"The place was bustling with participants, their parents, curious visitors, cyber game lovers, sponsors and volunteers in last two days," said Hossain Al Tareque, a volunteer.

Around 50 volunteers and referees were appointed to ensure a healthy competitive atmosphere for participants at various levels.

But the inaugural day did not go without complaints of delays in starting the competitions.

"We had to wait for over two hours before the first round could begin," said Sharjil Hassan Khan, a participant of the FIFA 2005 game.

Organisers admitted delays in setting up computers and stalls.

"Games were scheduled to inaugurate at 09.30 but we had to start the competition at 11.00 with 50 personal computers powered by Sparkle GE Force FX series advanced 3D graphics engine," said Irfan Hussain, Director, Information Technology, of F1 Management Limited.

Despite the organisers' hopes of registering 500 participants for each category -- Need For Speed Underground 2 and FIFA 2005-- the actual numbers of participants for both games were only 50 percent.

"Lack of communication with interested participants and the unprecedented August 17 bomb blast across the country probably discouraged most enthusiastic participants to register for the tournament," said Fuad Awal Chowdhury, Managing Director, F1 Management Limited.

On the first day 224 participants competed in FIFA 2005 and 300 in the NFS U2 games.

"We received a large crowd on the first day as most family members accompanied each participant," said Chowdhury.

He also said that some shoppers at Bashundhara City were lured into the tournament spot because of crowds and the music.

Despite sponsors, organisers, volunteers and referees efforts to have smooth competitions, some participants complained about the performances of the computers.

"Most of the computers stalled from time to time and it needed to be restarted," said Barshan Khondoker, another participant. "This gave an advantage to some participants who were not faced with the problem," he added.

Other participants complained about the rules and regulations of the tournament.

"Participants are supposed to play with international teams like Brazil, Argentina in the FIFA 2005 category," said a participant.

But the organisers opted to let participants play club level matches in the FIFA 2005 category.

"As a result, most of us, who practiced the International level at home, had slim chances of winning the club level matches," said the participant.

But the organisers, however, denied the allegation.

"We can change the rules and regulations of each game to be played in the tournament and have authority delegated by World Cyber Games authorities in this regard," said Irfan Hussain clarifying the allegations.

Hussain also said that five computers were kept as back-up for the 50 being used in the tournament.

"Minor glitches and power failures can always cause computers to act otherwise. Some of these computers were either restarted or replaced with backups within a few minutes," said Hussain.

"We will hopefully have the finals and crown the two champions today," he said.

Djuice is the official sponsor of the event while Bashundhara Group sponsors the venue.