BOA confident of strong performance at Islamic Solidarity Games

A 62-member team, including 36 athletes, will take part in the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Games will take place from November 7 to 21.

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) hopes the athletes will give their best effort to win some medals.

Bangladesh will compete in 10 sports out of 21 disciplines: athletics, fencing, karate, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu, judo, and taekwondo.

In the last edition, Bangladesh won medals in shooting, archery, and wrestling. However, shooting and archery are not included this year, reducing Bangladesh's chances.

 "We have exchanged views with all disciplines, and all expressed their hopes to deliver respective results in the Games. We also hope that the athletes will give their highest effort to win some medals," said Chef de Mission Selim Fakir during a press conference yesterday.

He added,: "As the athletes from 26 disciplines have been preparing for next year's South Asian Games, there was no need to arrange further preparation for the Islamic Solidarity Games. Four separate committees are monitoring the training funded by the National Sports Council. Table tennis player Muhtasin Ahmed Ridoy and weightlifter Mabia Akhter will carry the national flag in the march past."

Wushu Federation general secretary Dildar Hossain Dilu said their athletes will not return empty-handed, and medal winners will receive cash prizes from the federation.

"Our wrestler had before bagged medal. We are also expecting to win medals, subject to the facilities in the Games," said Bangladesh Wrestling Federation general secretary Mezbah Azad.

Bangladesh Athletics Federation vice president Iqbal Hossain said they expect medals from jumper Ritu Akter and hurdler Najimul Hossain Rony. Bangladesh Karate Federation general secretary Moazzem Hossain Sentu added that the karatekas would give a strong fight against world-class athletes.

NSC director general Kazi Nazrul Islam and BOA director general Brigadier General (retd) ABM Shefaul Kabir were also present at the briefing.