Shooting team leaves with slim hopes
Bangladesh shooting squad left for Nepal yesterday to complete in the 13th South Asian (SA) Games with slim hope of win gold medals even though the discipline has so far produced one-third of 67 gold medals for the country in the regional multi-sports extravaganza.
Since the inclusion of shooting in the SA Games in 1991, Bangladesh bagged at least one gold in every meet except for the 2006 edition in Colombo with most success coming in air-rifle events. However, Bangladesh had to be satisfied with a gold medal in pistol event in last edition held in India in 2016 and this time around shooters of both rifle and pistol events will remain in attention.
“We had a good preparation for the Games even though training started a bit late. Our target is to play in the final round which is really tough and uncertain for every participant and no one can give you guarantee of winning gold medal,” said rifle coach Saiful Alam Rinki on the eve of the team’s departure for Kathmandu yesterday afternoon. “You know the standard of India, who have gone way past us. Our fight will be against India.”
“However, the shooters have good spirit and tough mentality to fight for gold. If they can give their best on the day, it is not impossible to win gold. I think shooters like Abdullah Hel Baki, Sayeda Atkia Hasan Disha, Sharmin Akter Ratna and Shakil Ahmed have the ability to win gold medal,” said the former national shooter, who took charge of the rifle team in October.
“I will try to repeat the feat of the last edition,” said gold winner Shakil Ahmed, who broke a 23-year draught of gold medal in pistol events after grabbing gold in 50m pistol event in Guwahati.
“I could have hoped for better if the 50m pistol event remained in the meet. Now I have to compete in 10m pistol event and I hope I can do well in this event too due to good preparation,” said Shakil, who also won silver medal in 50m pistol event in last Commonwealth Games in Australia.
“I think Indian shooters are main contenders for gold medals but I believe I can overcome their challenge even though luck is a factor in the final round,” lad from Khulna said, adding that they will get seven days to acclimatise with condition in Nepal before shooting events get underway from December 3.
However, rifle shooters – Abdullah Hel Baki, Rabbi Hasan Munna and Robiul Islam -- will leave for Nepal on December 1. Some 17 Bangladeshi shooters will compete in 10 events.
Comments