Nearly nine months have passed since a group of young gymnasts achieved unprecedented success during their maiden participation in Singapore Open Gymnastics 2019 but there has been no national or international tournament except a day-long victory day event ever since that feat.
The junior gymnasts asked for more tournament participations along with betterment of training facilities after having accorded a reception by Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation at the Dhaka Club Sunday for the Singapore triumph where they bagged 14 gold, 6 silver and 8 silver medals in 13 events of junior categories ranging 11 to 14.
“It was my first international tournament where I was eager to make a mark but never thought to win five gold medals. But there has been no tournament since then. We need to take part in more events,” said 13-year-old Tonu Ray Tripura of Quantum Cosmo School in Bandarban that has currently 60 gymnasts.
BKSP gymnast Sajid Haque, who won two gold medals, also echoed the same tune and sought better facility. “The gymnastic venue of BKSP is better than the Dhaka Gymnasium (home venue).”
Among the other gold medalists Nijum Khisa, Kileng Murung, Mong Ching Poru and Menton Tony Mro were present on the occasion while New Zealand-born Bangladeshi Quader Ali Haque was absent.
Gymnasts will return to action during the Bangladesh Games next month while Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Mamun, the president of the gymnastics federation, confirmed that they will host the 5th Central South Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championship in November this year with the participation of ten South Asian countries.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Hasan Russell MP handed over the prizes money to the gymnasts.