Shooting holds hope

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) is expecting at least one gold medal in the shooting discipline of the upcoming 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from May 12 to 22.

A total of 31 athletes for eight disciplines – shooting, weightlifting, swimming, wrestling, gymnastics, athletics, karate and zurkhaneh wrestling -- will represent Bangladesh in the mega sporting event.

Bangladesh had previously won a silver and a bronze medal during the previous edition in 2013 in Jakarta. Archer Emdadul Haq Milon won the silver medal in the recurve bow event while the taekwondo team won bronze.

However, with shooting being included in the games for the first time, BOA hopes to get a gold medal after including six shooters in the Bangladesh contingent.

Abdullah Hel Baki, Rabbi Hasan Munna, Shakil Ahmed, Anowar Hossain, Syeda Atkia Hasan and Mahfuza Jannat Jui will take part in three different events.

Baki's experience puts him ahead of the others as far as expectations are concerned. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist is optimistic about Bangladesh's chances.

“I'm improving gradually which boosted my confidence after doing well in the Solidarity Games,” Baki said. “We have to compete against some tough opponents from Iran and Turkey, but I have confidence of making it to the final round and if I can do that, I'll definitely have a chance of winning gold.”

Coach Klavs Christensen is also pinning his hopes on the veteran shooter, who represented Bangladesh in the Rio Olympics last year.

“Baki is doing well, and as usual we have high hopes of him,” Christensen said. “We expect the best and at least to win a medal, but there will be strong competition, especially from Iran and Turkey.”

Ashikur Rahman Miku, deputy secretary general of BOA, mentioned shooting and weightlifting as the two disciplines with the most potential to win medals.

“We are hoping to win gold medals from shooting and weightlifting,” Miku said. “Shooting is always one of the most productive disciplines of our country and this time the shooters are preparing well under foreign coaches.”