Following father’s footsteps, expat paddler Zaiyan eyes national spot

The ongoing 40th National Table Tennis Championships have attracted players across age groups, from seven to 70, including children of organisers, umpires, corporate officials, students and seasonal players. But among the hundreds competing, one story stands out: 17-year-old expatriate paddler Zaiyan Mahdeen, who travelled from the United Arab Emirates to fulfil a dream his father once lived -- playing at Bangladesh’s national championships.

The son of former national-level paddler Shamim Waheed, Zaiyan grew up around his father’s billiards and table tennis academy in Abu Dhabi. He is representing Bangladesh Biman in this edition of the tournament, having earlier competed for Bangladesh at the WTT Youth Championship in Egypt with special approval from Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation general secretary Captain Masqood Ahmed.

“I always wanted to play in the national championships, where my father once competed,” Zaiyan told The Daily Star yesterday. 

“Bangladesh Biman gave me this opportunity, and I’m really enjoying the experience. Playing here means facing new players with different styles.”

Currently a Grade 12 student, Zaiyan competed in the U-19 singles and doubles events, winning a few matches before being knocked out in the round of 32 by national age-group players. He also featured in the men’s singles.

“I play for a club in Abu Dhabi and travel regularly across the UAE for tournaments,” he said. “I’ve had both wins and losses, and I’ve won a few events there.”

Zaiyan now dreams of earning a place in the Bangladesh senior team. “Every player wants to reach a certain level. I train one to two hours every day, and I hope I can represent Bangladesh in the future,” he said.

His parents, Shamim Waheed and Natasha Waheed, are accompanying him at the championships. Shamim, who represented Jashore district several times in the early 1990s, said his passion for the sport never faded, even after moving to the UAE in 2009.

“When I first enrolled my son in an academy, they couldn’t even teach him the basics,” Shamim said. “So, I decided to start one myself.”

In 2019, he launched Legends Billiards and Table Tennis Hall, combining table tennis, billiards, snooker and a cafe. A certified ITTF Level 1 coach, he now trains 26 students from different countries.

“I brought Zaiyan to Bangladesh so he could feel what it means to play the national championships,” Shamim said. “If he wants to chase this dream, we will support him fully.”