Bangladesh pins Asian Games hopes on four disciplines

Although Bangladesh will compete in 22 disciplines at the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Japan, the country’s medal hopes are largely pinned on four sports -- cricket, kabaddi, shooting and archery.

“We have expectations from those who have produced good results in the past. Kabaddi is one such sport -- they have delivered results before, and we are hoping they will produce a good result again,” Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) vice-president Major Imroze Ahmed (Retd.) said at a press briefing at the BOA Auditorium on Monday. “We can also have expectations from cricket, shooting and archery.”

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Of the 14 medals Bangladesh has won at the Asian Games so far, six have come from cricket, seven from kabaddi and one from boxing.

“Our archers have performed well in the past, so there is no reason to think they will do poorly this time … On the day you perform, if you click and produce your best, you can achieve the desired result,” he added.

** A total of 90 male and 97 female athletes will represent Bangladesh in 22 disciplines at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

** A total of 73 coaches and officials will accompany the 260-member contingent.

** Shooter Abdullah Hel Baki and karate athlete Humaira Akter Antara will be Bangladesh’s flagbearers at the opening ceremony.

** A total of 65 athletes and officials have been approved to attend the opening ceremony, while 45 will attend the closing ceremony.

** Those who have events on September 20 will not attend the opening ceremony.

** Eight teams -- archery, gymnastics, judo, kabaddi, weightlifting, wrestling, table tennis and wushu -- will stay on a cruise ship.

Bangladesh will send a 260-member contingent to the Games, running from September 19 to October 4. The contingent comprises 90 male athletes, 97 female athletes and 73 coaches and officials.

The size of the contingent drew questions, particularly after Bangladesh returned from the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow without a medal. Imroze, however, defended the decision to send athletes across a wide range of disciplines.

“Every government has its own philosophy. If we look at this sports arena from a broader perspective, there are many other unfortunate countries like ours that do not win medals. If we followed that logic, you would see only 10 countries participating in the Asian Games, while the rest would not take part at all. Everyone is fighting to achieve something.

“We are giving some people the opportunity to play, gain experience and move forward.”

“Athletics and swimming are the mother sports in these multi-sport Games. It is important for us to participate in these events,” Imroze said, defending Bangladesh’s participation in disciplines such as athletics and swimming.

“There is also an issue of our own affiliation. If we do not participate anywhere, then we will essentially have no presence. We have to participate.”

Questions were also raised over the selection of athletes, particularly swimmer Samiul Islam Rafi and shooter Kamrun Nahar Koli not finding places in their respective squads despite their recent performances, as well as the number of officials and the quality of preparations.

BOA officials and representatives from different federations attending the press briefing said the previous federation committees were responsible for selecting the athletes and officials for the Games.

They also acknowledged that while officials could be replaced later, changes to the athlete list would not be possible, raising questions over the selection process and Bangladesh’s medal prospects ahead of the team’s departure.

The Bangladesh women’s football team will be the first Bangladeshi team to arrive in Japan for the Asian Games, landing on September 11 ahead of their opening match on September 17.