BAF in talks with Chinese coaches for SA Games camp

Bangladesh Athletics Federation (BAF) is trying to bring in two Chinese coaches for their preparation camp for next year's South Asian Games in Pakistan.

"We have had some correspondence with two Chinese coaches -- one for the sprint event and another for jumping event --and the discussion is still going on a few terms and conditions," BAF general secretary Shah Alam told The Daily Star recently.

"We are hoping to finalise it in the sidelines of the World Athletics Congress during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo," he said, adding that they have made the Bangladesh Olympic Association and the National Sports Council privy to all correspondences with the Chinese coaches, as they seek financial assistance from both organisations to rope them in.

The BAF's decision to chase the Chinese coaches follows the precedence set by a few other federations that have recently appointed foreign coaches to prepare their athletes for the next SA Games.

The BAF had begun its camp a couple of months ago with around 40 athletes. Recently, almost half of the athletes were dropped from the list and 18 new faces were added, including England-based sprinter Imranur Rahman, on the basis of performances in the recently-concluded Summer Athletics Championship (SAC).

Athletes of some men's events like pole vault, discus throw and marathon were added while shotput players were excluded.

Following the break after the SAC, the BAF preparation camp resumed last week at the National Stadium. However, service team athletes have not joined the camp and are expected to join after next month's Inter-Service Athletics Championship.

Alam also added that the federation has decided to send 400m hurdles' gold-winner Nazimul Hossain Rony to the World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 after sprinter Imranur withdrew due to injury risk.

Imranur, who had suffered a hamstring injury during the 200m event in the (SAC), will be training in London for the SA Games in January with the federation likely to provide him financial support.

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