United States-based Bangladeshi boxer Zinnat Ferdous would be missing out on the Paris Olympics 2024 without giving at least a try as the athlete’s participation in the qualifying tournament got cancelled due to Bangladesh Amateur Boxing Federation missing registrations for the competition, according to a report.
In an interview of Zinnat, New York-based media outlet Fox 5 criticized BBF for “missing a deadline” that resulted in cancelling the whole Bangladesh boxing team’s participation in the Paris Olympics Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok in April-May.
Zinnat was among four boxers who were enlisted by the federation for the competition.
Others were Salim Hossain, Abu Talha and Hossain Ali but none made it to the Thailand capital for same reason.
Read Also: Part 2: Amateur Boxing Federation hapless in Zinnat’s dilemma
"I was ranked number seven. I've won two New York City ring master’s tournaments, and I'm a two-time national Golden Globe medalist. I've won the USA women's boxing championships back in 2023. I've won the 2024 Dominican Republic Open, the Copa Independencia Tournament, and the inaugural Mandela South African Boxing Club just a few months ago, so seven, seven big tournaments," said Zinnat.
"I chose to represent Bangladesh, because as a first generation American, it allowed me the opportunity to get me closer to my heritage and help elevate sports and women athletes in Bangladesh," she added.
"It's about making history. I'd have been the first woman boxer to ever represent Bangladesh in the Olympics, and the first athlete from Bangladesh to potentially…win a medal," said Zinnat during the interview with Fox 5.
Also Read: Part 3: Zinnat overlooked for wildcards, Bangladesh miss rare chance
The report also put BABF responsible for missing a deadline for the registration of the player for the Olympic qualifying tournaments, citing "technical shortfalls."
Zinnat gave a statement.
She said: “This situation highlights the challenges athletes face, where factors outside our control can derail years of hard work."
When contacted over phone, Zinnat denied making any comment against the federation.
The 30-year old boxer represented Bangladesh at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 in China in September.
She got walkover in the opener but eliminated from the second round.
It was her first competition in Bangladesh jersey.
Read Also: Double-gold winner Zinnat: Only Paris Olympics is in my mind
She carried on hard training in pursuit of her Olympic goal and won gold medals in two international competitions this year in South Africa and Dominican Republic in March-April, something no Bangladeshi boxer achieved before.
Zinnat only told Dhaka Tribune: “I think I would have qualified. I have been working really hard. The last two tournaments were evidence I was getting better. I thought I was almost done (to go for Olympics). It was sad not to get it. I hope it would never happen to anybody ever again.”
