Paddlers fearful of future despite historic international success

The Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation (BTTF) is celebrating a historic achievement but the lack of financial support and facilities pose significant challenges in sustaining international success. 

Paddlers Javed Ahmed and Khoi Khoi Marma recently won the silver medal in the mixed doubles event at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia, surpassing the country's previous best performances of bronze medals in team events at the South Asian Games.

At a press briefing held at the Bangladesh Olympic Association auditorium today, BTTF officials and the medalists highlighted both their achievement and the ongoing struggles of Bangladesh's table tennis scene, which has seen declining participation and limited infrastructure.

Former national champion and coach Mostafa Billah said: "We could not secure such achievement in 53 years of the country's history. We had an expectation of producing good results but we did not expect to do so well and it was possible because of the continuation of the training for a few international tournaments."

Billah also expressed hope that the achievement could revive the sport, saying: "I think this achievement will act to revive the country's table tennis like what Bangladesh cricket did after winning the ICC Trophy in 1997."

Javed described the silver medal as the biggest achievement in Bangladesh's table tennis.

"What we achieved in the Islamic Solidarity Games came on basis of the previous successes. The team bonding among the players also played another good role in winning the silver medal," he said.

Khoi Khoi said: "We reached the quarterfinals in the last Islamic Solidarity Games in Turkey and this time our target was to surpass the previous best but we reached the final this time which was a bit of surprise to all. We are really happy to deliver something to the nation."

BTTF General Secretary Captain Maksood Ahmed Sonet announced a cash award of Taka one lakh each to the medalists but expressed concern over ongoing challenges, saying, "Winning the silver medal in the Islamic Solidary Games indicates that we are in the right direction but we are concerned whether we will be able to continue the success in the coming future because we have financial constraints and a lack of training facilities."

Sonet added that the federation has struggled to keep the national training camp running due to financial issues and that the Shaheed Taj Uddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium suffers from a non-functional air-conditioning system. He noted, "We need to overcome the financial crisis to keep training camps going, so we are looking forward to help from the youth and sports ministry, National Sports Council and Bangladesh Olympic Association."

He also mentioned plans to bring in a foreign coach from India or Iran to keep up standards in training. 

Javed and Khoi Khoi also urged the federation to keep organising domestic competitions, which have not been held in the last four years. 
Javed said: "Other countries are improving fast by ensuring better training facilities and financial benefits to the players but we are not getting any of it. If we are not provided better facilities and benefits, then we will not be able to keep our international success going." 

He added that players also need to take care of their families by working, unlike athletes from other developing countries.