Recurve bow carries hope

The Bangladesh Archery Federation (BAF) is all set to host an international tournament after five years as the inaugural ISSF International Solidarity Archery Championship begins here at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Friday.

Bangladesh had last held this event in 2011 where 15 nations participated, but this time the number of participating nations has been increased to 17. The tournament is sanctioned by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF).

A total of 68 archers will compete in nine events -- men's and women's singles and team events in recurve bow, men's and women's singles and team events in compound and mixed team event.

“Though winning medals depends on the players' preparation, confidence and environment, we will try to win maximum medals from the tournament. Our target is to win at least six out of the nine gold medals,” BAF vice president and convenor of the tournament Soaib Chowdhury said at a press conference yesterday.

“We think Malaysia, Iraq and Iran will be our main competitors while neighbouring India are yet to confirm their participation,” said Chowdhury.

Bangladesh hardly ever produced good results at international events, except for Grand Prix tournaments where Sajjad Hossain, Emdadul Haque Milon, Roman Sana and Tamimul Islam won gold medals in recurve bow events.

And recurve bow remains Bangladesh's hope in both men's and women's events despite the absence of experienced archers like Emdadul Haque Milon and Sajib Sheikh, who failed to find place in the final squad.

Roman, Tamimul, Durul Huda and Sanwar Hossain put Milon and Sajib behind in the selection process to be included in the final squad while women's recurve team comprises veteran Beauty Roy, Shyamoli Roy, Rabeya Akter and Hira Moni.  

“We have been conducting training round the year and the squad has been picked from 100 archers. We are expecting something good from archers like Roman, Beauty and Shyamoli,” said BAF vice president Anisur Rahman Dipu.

BAF general secretary Razib Uddin Ahmed Chapal informed that ISSF International Solidarity Championship will be a preparatory tournament for the Bangladeshi archers ahead of the Asian Archery Championship, which will be held in Dhaka in November-December.