Athletics team off to Doha

A nine-member Bangladesh athletic contingent left for Qatar yesterday to take part in the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Doha from April 21 to 24.

Five athletes -- country's fastest man and woman Mohammad Ismail and Shirin Akter, sprinter Hasan Mia, runner Jahir Raihan and sprinter Shohagi Akter – will be accompanied by four officials of the Bangladesh Athletics Federation. Ismail and Hasan will compete in men's 100m sprint while Shirin and Shohagi will vie in women's 100m sprint. Shirin will also take part in 200m sprint while Jahir Raihan will run in 400m.

Even though four of the five athletes want to improve their personal timing, fever-hit Jahir Raihan is uncertain whether he can run in his favourite 400m. 

“As we don't have any chance of winning medals, we will try to improve our personal timing in respective events,” eight-time 100m gold-winning sprinter Shirin told reporters before departure.     

“I don't know whether I can take part in the event because I am going with a fever,” said Raihan, who set a record in 400m run in last national championship clocking 46.86 seconds.