Excitement overwhelms fears as Games begin
The Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games finally got underway yesterday after a one-year wait at the Bangabandhu National Stadium amidst the backdrop of promising performances and the threat of Covid-19.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the Games open through virtually from Gono Bhaban and urged athletes and organisers to take measures to protect health safety.
"It is a part of the celebrations for the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, but it was suspended due to coronavirus. Although it came back afresh, I want the Games to be played by taking care of everyone's health," Hasina said in her short speech. "If any nation wants development, it needs to develop every sectors, including sport, which is really essential because sports are especially vital for children and the younger generation."
SA Games double-gold medallist swimmer Mahfuza Akter Shila and golfer Siddikur Rahman lit the torch of the Games in the opening ceremony, which was mostly comprised of audio-visual displays but that
here was no shortage of enthusiasm, inspiration and eagerness among athletes although they were a bit worried about the spike in Covid-19 infection rates.
"I have been preparing for the Bangladesh Games for more than a year and am eagerly waiting to perform on the big stage," said boxer Mohammad Nasid from Kishorganj, who never participated in any national boxing championships in his playing career although he once participated in the Victory Day Boxing tournament.
Skating coach Asif Iqbal was busy maintaining his players during the march past. Around 50 players had turned up Dhaka a month ago to undergo training for the Games.
"It is true that we haven't taken enough preparations due to limitations and the lay-off," Iqbal said, "We can't hide the fact that we are feeling anxious due to the current coronavirus situation, but we can't stop everything due to coronavirus. We have been following health guidelines such as wearing masks, sanitising hands and limiting outings."
Mahfuza Akter Shila of Bangladesh Navy believes the Games are going to be a platform for athletes from service teams.
"The athletes of service teams are in good shape because they have trained regularly whereas athletes outside service teams struggled to train amid the pandemic. From that perspective, there is little chance to get new performers outside of services teams in the Games," Shila opined.
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