A delighted Bangladesh Special Olympics contingent returned to the country yesterday after a successful campaign in the just-concluded 14th Special Olympics World Games that was hosted by Los Angeles from July 25-August 2.
A total of 54 athletes from Bangladesh took part in six disciplines – athletics, badminton, bocce, football, swimming and table tennis – and claimed as many as 54 medals including 18 gold, 22 silver and 14 bronze.
Most of the athletes who won gold medals could barely talk but the unbridled joy on their faces was clearly evident when
they set foot on their home soil and saw the familiar faces.
Shuttler Abdul Kader Sharan bagged the highest number of gold medals among the Bangladesh participants and like Parul Akter, who notched gold in 100m freestyle (swimming), he cannot speak. However, it did not take a rocket scientist to comprehend the joy on their faces.
National director Faruqul Islam, who headed the 77-member delegation in Los Angeles, summarised their trip. “The performance was good from our team. Everything went good out there – food, accommodation and everything. There was only one little problem; nearly half of us were staying 50km away from the other half.”
One source of disappointment however, turned out to be the absence of footballer Jaynul Abedin, who was missing from the team that landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
“We did not find him after the second day of the Special Olympics. We informed the police and they asked us to send his information along with his relatives. They said they will find him within a week. Let’s see what happens,” Faruqul told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
Faruqul added that they were unlucky not to retain the gold medal that they had won in the previous Special Olympics four years ago. Bangladesh lost 4-3 in the tie-breaker against Great Britain in the final of the 11-a-side football event. Faruqul said a vital decision – the awarding of a penalty - went against them in the final and GB duly took advantage, stroking home the spot-kick.
When queried to mention their most memorable event from the trip, Faruqul said, “No doubt, the visit to Hollywood.”
He further added, “We could have won one more gold in swimming. Khushi Khatun finished covering the final turn before any other swimmer in the pool but she forgot to touch the finishing line. Instead, she started celebrating.”
