Bangladesh’s expectations, reality discussed

Year-long training facility, financial assurances to athletes, domestic competitions throughout the year and sending top athletes abroad are required to bridge the gap between Bangladesh and other leading countries in south Asia, discussed a seminar on South Asian Games 2019 Tuesday.

With the participation of top officials from different sports federations, Bangladesh Olympic Association and National Sports Council, former SA Games gold winners and journalists, the seminar titled “SA Games 2019: Bangladesh’s expectations and reality”, organized by Bangladesh Sports Press Association, was held at the conference hall of NSC Tower.

Bangladesh finished fifth out of eight countries during the 2016 SA Games, winning only four golds, 15 silvers and 56 bronzes out of a total of 789 medals. 

The key paper of the seminar prepared by journalist Badiuzzaman Milon discussed where Bangladesh are lagging behind other countries in south Asia, and placed some proposals on how to better their performance.

“Bangladesh won a total of 174 silvers so far (out of 12 editions since 1984). A little more nurturing and training could turn the color of those medals into gold. The athletes should set their target for gold, not silver,” stated the paper.

#SA Games in focus as #archers leave #Wednesday for #Asian #Archery https://t.co/INIzDPmwg7

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 19, 2019

Bangladesh football team manager Satyajit Das Rupu set their target of reaching the gold-medal match as the Olympic (U-23) team were formed with the national players, while Bangladesh Cricket Board selector Habibul Bashar informed that they will send the Emerging team and are confident of bringing gold.

Former star shooter and current coach Saiful Alam Rinky said, “We have to take long-term training plans. Modernizing the venues and installing modern instruments is necessary so that athletes could adapt with those used in international events. Then we will get fruitful results.”

Bangladesh Tennis Federation general secretary Golam Morshed, Bangladesh Weightlifting Federation vice-president Mohiuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Taekwondo Federation GS Mahbubul Islam Rana, Bangladesh Cycling Federation GS Parvez Hasan, Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation GS Jahangir, Bangladesh Football Federation GS Abu Nayeem Shohag, Bangladesh Wushu Federation GS Dulal Hossain and swimmer Mahfuza Khatun Shila were among many who spoke on the occasion.

BOA deputy secretary and SA Games’ Bangladesh team leader Asaduzzaman Kohinoor, VP Shaikh Bashir Ahmed, treasurer Kazi Razib Uddin Ahmed Chapol and NSC secretary Masud Karim listened to the discussions and shared their thoughts as well.

Meanwhile, a total of 591 athletes from Bangladesh will take part in 25 disciplines out of a total of 27 in the 13th SA Games, scheduled for December 1-10.