Shila embarks on campaign today

South Asian (SA) Games double gold-medallist swimmer Mahfuza Khatun Shila will take to the pool on the first day of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games today after opting not to carry the national flag in the march-past during the inauguration in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku yesterday.

Shila was supposed to carry the national flag in the march-past but she passed the duties to another gold medallist, shooter Shakil Ahmed, after swimming coach Park Tae Gun recommended that Shila not carry the flag due to her event in the morning of the opening day.

Shila had created a South Asian record on way to winning the gold medal in the 50m breaststroke in the SA Games with a time of 34.88 seconds, and she had a time of 33.15 in practice before departing for Baku, so it is expected that she will come up with a medal.

Swimmers Nazma Khatun, Naima Akter and Ariful Islam, shooters Syeda Atkia Hasan, Mahfuza Jannat Jui, Abdullah Hel Baki and Rabbi Hasan, weightlifter Fulpati Chakma, karatekas Mounjera Barna and Al Amin Islam, and gymnast Saddam Hossain will also compete on the opening day.

Around 3,000 athletes from 54 countries are taking part in the Games, which will conclude on May 22.