Azad Hossain :
A new chapter in Bangladesh’s sporting landscape began on Thursday as the President’s Challenge Cup Archery Tournament & Joint Training Programme officially got underway in a festive atmosphere at the Archery Training Academy in Tongi, Gazipur. The four-day international event will continue until August 2, bringing together archers, coaches, and technical officials from across Asia and beyond.
The tournament and joint training programme were inaugurated by State Minister for Water Resources, Farhad Hossain Azad, who attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest.
Although representatives from 26 countries are participating in the event in various capacities—including athletes, coaches, and technical officials—the main competition features archers from 17 nations. The tournament is being contested exclusively in the Recurve Individual and Mixed Team events.
Addressing the ceremony, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad highlighted the importance of providing a suitable environment for archery. He acknowledged that while the Tongi venue has great potential, several challenges remain, particularly the waste management issues surrounding the Archery Training Academy. He assured participants that the matter would be discussed with the local administration, relevant authorities, and the area’s Member of Parliament. He also said the issue would be brought to the attention of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, while pledging his personal efforts to ensure a prompt solution.
The minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to controlling noise pollution, noting that the Hon’ble Prime Minister has already held inter-ministerial discussions on the issue. He stressed that reducing noise pollution is not only essential for sports but also for improving individual, family, and social life. Expressing confidence in the country’s sporting future, he said the Prime Minister has a strong passion for sports and a special interest in the development of archery. He expressed hope that Bangladesh would achieve greater international recognition through the continued progress of the sport.
Speaking at the event, Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal, President of World Archery Asia and the newly elected President of the Bangladesh Archery Federation, shared his vision for the future of Bangladeshi archery. He noted that while he has served as President of World Archery Asia for nearly eight months, he assumed the presidency of the Bangladesh Archery Federation only eight days ago.
Highlighting the federation’s track record, Chapal said it has consistently fulfilled its commitments and often exceeded expectations. Recalling a previous South Asian Games, he said that although only one gold medal had been expected, Bangladesh ultimately secured ten gold medals under their leadership.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in the country’s Olympic ambitions, saying, “Insha’Allah, we are committed to bringing an Olympic medal to Bangladesh. It may not happen in 2028, but with our current young generation, we believe Bangladesh can achieve Olympic success in 2032.”
Officials believe the four-day joint training programme and competition will provide Bangladeshi archers with valuable international exposure and competitive experience, helping them sharpen their skills and strengthen the country’s prospects for future success on the global stage.
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