BAF lifts ban on Ismail

Bangladesh Athletics Federation (BAF) on Monday lifted a ban on Mohammad Ismail, the country's fastest man, after the 29-year-old sprinter sought exemption from a one-year ban.

Ismail had been banned by the BAF for lodging a complaint to the Bangladesh Olympic Association against BAF officials after they selected Zahir Raihan ahead of him for the Tokyo Olympics.

"I admitted my mistake and promised not to make such mistakes in the future in a letter placed to the BAF president. I also requested the president to lift my ban for the sake of my career as well as the country's athletics and to allow me to take part in the upcoming National Athletics Championships," Ismail told The Daily Star, adding that his employers, Bangladesh Navy, had also worked to lift the ban.

Ismail was banned for one year effective from October 2. He served more than two months before the ban was lifted although he did not stop training.

"I was optimistic of being acquitted and continued training because the upcoming national championships are going to be tough because England-based sprinter Emdadur Rahman is coming to compete," added Ismail.