Siddikur to wave the Bangladesh flag in Rio
Ace Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman, who on Monday became the first Bangladeshi sports personality to qualify for the Olympic Games, will carry the Bangladesh flag during the Rio 2016 opening ceremony next month, the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) announced today.
"Siddikur will be the flag carrier of the Bangladesh contingent," BOA secretary general Syed Shahed Reza informed.
BOA president and Bangladesh army chief General Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Haque met seven Bangladesh Olympic athletes at the Kurmitola Golf Club and told them to uphold the country's image in Rio.
Siddikur, the 31-year-old winner of two Asian Tour titles, will take over flag carrying duties from swimmer Mahfizur Rahman who carried the flag in the London 2012 opening ceremony.
"Honestly, I am so proud to be given this great honour," Siddikur told The Daily Star over phone. "This will inspire me, and I am very grateful for this honour. I will try my best to repay it with my performance."
On Monday, Siddikur was placed in 56th position in the final eligibility list for the Rio 2016 Games, therefore becoming the first Bangladeshi athlete to participate in the Games through direct qualification. All the other athletes to have participated so far have done so through wild cards provided to each national Olympic association by the International Olympic Committee to encourage participation for all countries.
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