The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) is anticipating a strong showing from its athletes in the upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia. A 62-member team, including 36 athletes, is scheduled to depart for Riyadh in groups to participate in the 6th edition of the event from November 7-21.
Out of the 21 sports featured, Bangladesh will compete in 10 disciplines, namely athletics, fencing, karate, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, judo, and taekwondo. The goal is to secure medals, similar to the previous edition where Bangladesh claimed one gold, one silver, and one bronze in shooting, two silvers and one bronze in archery, and one bronze in wrestling.
Despite shooting and archery being excluded from the upcoming Games, Bangladesh’s medal prospects have diminished. Nevertheless, Chef de Mission Selim Fakir, who also serves as the additional secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, remains hopeful of achieving success.
During an official press briefing at the BOA auditorium, Fakir expressed optimism, stating, “We have consulted with all disciplines, and they are eager to achieve positive outcomes in the Games. We trust that the athletes will put forth their best efforts to secure medals.”
Regarding preparation, Fakir mentioned, “As athletes from 26 disciplines are gearing up for next year’s South Asian Games, additional training for the Islamic Solidarity Games was deemed unnecessary. Four distinct committees are overseeing the training programs supported by the National Sports Council.”
Table tennis player Muhtasin Ahmed Ridoy and weightlifter Mabia Akhter have been selected to lead the national contingent in the march past.
Various sports federations also expressed confidence in their athletes’ abilities to perform well. The Wushu federation’s general secretary, Dildar Hossain Dilu, assured that they would not return empty-handed. Mezbah Azad, the general secretary of the Bangladesh Wrestling Federation, mentioned the previous success of their wrestlers and their aspiration to win medals at the upcoming Games.
Iqbal Hossain, vice president of the Bangladesh Athletics Federation, highlighted the medal prospects of jumper Ritu Akter and hurdler Najimul Hossain Rony. Moazzem Hossain Sentu, general secretary of the Bangladesh Karate Federation, emphasized their readiness to compete against world-class opponents.
The event was attended by NSC director general Kazi Nazrul Islam and BOA director general Brigadier General (Retired) ABM Shefaul Kabir.