Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation is expecting to bring back its good old days in international arena after appointing new Indian coach Chhaju Ram who has been in charge of the national men’s and women’s team along with the U-20 national team for more than one month.
Chhaju, who guided a newly-formed Indonesia kabaddi team during the Asian Games 2018 after working as kabaddi coach for Hariyana Sports Department for more than two decades, joined the Bangladesh kabaddi team on June 12 with an initial six-month deal until the South Asian Games in December this year.
“During my 23 years at the Hariyana Sports department, I produced many international players who played and won gold medals for India. I was awarded four times by government. I also coached India team for Junior Asian Championship in Malaysia in 2009.” Chhaju introduced himself to Dhaka Tribune at the national kabaddi stadium yesterday.
With vast experience of working with the young players, Chhaju was also given the job to guide the U-20 national team ahead of the U-20 Kabaddi World Cup scheduled to be held in Iran from November 1 to 7. Chhaju’s deal would likely to extend based on Bangladesh’s performance in December’s SA Games and the 60-year-old coach hoped to stay for a much longer time.
“I want to stay here until the 2022 Asian Games,” said Chhaju, adding, “My ultimate target is to win medal in the Asian Games because Bangladesh (men’s team) have not won any medal at Asiad for many years. Bangladesh players are talented but practice is not good. I hope they will improve and do well in future. I will try my best to prepare the team best and regain the glory in the upcoming events.”
Bangladesh kabaddi team went through a huge reshuffle in its national side since the arrival of Chhaju as most of the senior players including former captain Arduzzaman Munshi couldn’t make into the national camp after failing to impress in the trial. Chhaju said there was completely “fair selection” during the trial that involved a total of 60 players before cutting it short to 21.
Chhaju also hoped big with the junior side as well. “There are 20 players in the U-20 camp for the U-20 World Cup. We are practicing regularly. I hope our junior players will win medal too. We will make this team big in the international arena.”
“Good planning, good diet, good facilities, gym, fare selection many things matter in doing well in kabaddi.” continued Chhaju ,who also hoped to put up better display in the SA Games where Bangladesh men’s team won bronze and women’s team won silver in the last edition in 2016.
