Shooting, golf and weightlifting will be the disciplines of attention as 19 Bangladeshi athletes prepare themselves for the 2nd Asian Youth Games, scheduled to start at Nanjing, China from August 16.
"The 29 member Bangladesh contingent will fly to China on August 14 and will participate in the disciplines of athletics, badminton, swimming, basketball, golf, shooting, taekwondo and weightlifting." At a press conference held at the Bangladesh
Olympic Association yesterday, BOA officials hoped that the Bangladesh athletes will at least topple their personal bests in the aforementioned disciplines. The athletes have been training in different camps since June 15.
Taekwondo was the last discipline that was included in the list and the Olympic Council of Asia approved the inclusion on July 11, so that the Bangladeshi athletes in the discipline might be under-prepared.
Syed Shahed Reza, the secretary general of BOA hoped the participation would raise the temperament of the athletes.
"Without participating in the top level meets, the athletes will not foster at their levels. The Asian circuit is highly competitive but our athletes will be earning valuable experience from the meet," he said.
Mabia Khatun and Reshma Akter are the two weightlifters who will be trying to raise their performances. Mabia's personal bests are 67 in the snatch and 82 in the jerk, and she will be competing in the 53 kg category. Johura Akhter Reshma won a bronze in the Asian Youth Weightlifting Championship in Doha a couple of months back and her personal bests are 50 and 62 kg in snatch and jerk respectively. Reshma is a competitor in the 48 kg category.
The golf team is made up of Afnan Mahmud Chowdhury and Liza Akhter. Afnan will also be carrying the flag of the country.
Afnan, a prolific young golfer, has won more than 40 local titles, hopes to do something special. "Though the competition is big, we draw the inspiration from the Junior World Golf Championships where we finished 10th. I hope to perform the best," said Afnan.
The hope of shooting success rests on Sharmin Sultana and Sharmin Akter in the 10 metre air rifle. Coach Asbab Ali Fayez said if the shooters, who are shooting 489 in training, can cross the 490 barrier than they can find themselves amongst the medals.
Badminton sensation Aiman Ibn Zaman has completed a one month training in Malaysia and was optimistic going into the event.
Kazi Razibuddin Ahmed Chapal, the treasurer of BOA, will be the chef de mission of the tour. The team is scheduled to return on August 25.
The athletes- Shooting-Sharmin Akter, Sharmin Akter Sultana, Hasanul Banna Akash and Risalatul Islam (All 10 metre air rifle) Weightlifting- Mabia Akhter, Jahura Akhter Reshma (53 and 48 kg). Golf- Afnan Mahmud Chowdhury and Liza Akter.
Athletics- Ashik Kumar Halder (100 metre sprint), Aireen Akter (100 metre sprint). Swimming- Asif Reza (50 metre butterfly and 50 freestyle), Najma Khatun (50 metre freestyle). Badminton- Ayman Ibn Zaman. Basketball 3 a side- Sajid Istiaque, Saquib Hossain, Chowdhury Abdul Mumin Ishmam, Mubtashin Quader. Taekwondo- Fatiha Ummul Islam (-57 Kg) and Amirul Islam Mehedy (-62).
