Koly appeals to Ministry, NSC for justice over one-year ban

Bangladesh’s leading shooter Kamrun Nahar Koly has formally sought intervention from the country’s top sports authorities in an effort to overturn her controversial one-year suspension from the national team.

Koly on Thursday submitted written appeals to State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque and National Sports Council (NSC) Executive Director Daulatuzzaman Khan, urging them to step in and resolve the ongoing dispute. In her letter, she requested the withdrawal of the ban and immediate reinstatement in the national training camp.

The suspension, imposed by the Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation, has cast uncertainty over the future of one of the country’s most accomplished shooters at a critical time in her career. A regular representative of Bangladesh on the international stage, Koly is the nation’s only finalist in a Shooting World Cup and is currently competing under an Olympic scholarship.

The controversy stems from allegations she raised against federation official GM Haider Sajjad, accusing him of irregularities, corruption, and sexual harassment. Acting on her complaint, the NSC formed an investigation committee, which later found her allegations to be valid. The accused official was subsequently relieved of his duties.

Despite the investigation substantiating her claims, Koly says she became the target of retaliatory action. She was first handed a temporary suspension before being banned for one year from national team activities - a decision she maintains is unjust and unreasonable.

With the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympic qualification events approaching, access to the national camp is vital for preparation. The ban has effectively halted her training at a time when performance and ranking points are crucial.

An earlier attempt by the Bangladesh Olympic Association to mediate the issue ended inconclusively after the federation’s general secretary failed to attend the scheduled meeting.

Now, with her appeal placed before the Ministry and the NSC, Koly hopes for swift intervention to safeguard her career. The coming days will determine whether the authorities step in to resolve the dispute or whether one of Bangladesh’s brightest shooting prospects remains sidelined at a pivotal moment.