Bangladesh eye kabaddi medal at Asian Beach Games

Bangladesh kabaddi has set its sights on reclaiming lost glory as the discipline returns to the Asian Beach Games after an eight-year absence.

Chef de Mission and Bangladesh Olympic Association vice-president Major (retd.) Imroz Ahmed confirmed on Thursday that kabaddi remains Bangladesh’s biggest medal hope.

"Bangladesh won bronze medals in kabaddi in the first three Asian Beach Games," he said. "Since the sport is back in the programme, our expectations are naturally high."

Both the men’s and women’s kabaddi teams have undergone an 80-day intensive preparation programme ahead of the Games.

Following the complaint, organisers redrew the fixtures, with the revised schedule now considered favourable for Bangladesh.

Alongside kabaddi, Bangladesh will also compete in beach volleyball and beach handball in Sanya.

Handball Federation general secretary Salahuddin Ahmed expressed optimism, citing a recent victory over South Africa at the Beach Commonwealth Handball event in the Maldives.

In beach wrestling, two male wrestlers will represent Bangladesh in three-minute bouts.

Federation joint secretary and team official Mubin Ahmed cautiously voiced hope of a medal finish.

The red-and-green outfit had won bronze medals in each of the first three editions of the Games, but kabaddi was excluded from the fourth and fifth editions.

With the sport reinstated for the Asian Beach Games in China, Bangladesh are determined to return to the podium.

The sixth edition of the Games will be held in Sanya, and expectations around kabaddi are high once again.

Bangladesh will also field one male athlete in open-water swimming at the Games.

For the opening ceremony march-past, the national flag will be carried by handball player Rabiul and athlete Sumaiya Dewan.

Volleyball captain Harshit Biswas will carry the flag at the closing ceremony.

Officials also stressed discipline and unity as key objectives beyond medal pursuit.

"This is the first Games under the new BOA committee," Major Imroz said. "We have taken all necessary measures so that no unwanted incidents occur."

The BOA has spent more than Tk2 crore on training preparations, with total expenditure, including participation costs, estimated at around Tk3.5 crore.

Bangladesh will compete in six disciplines with 31 athletes, supported by 10 officials, while an additional 14 members will form part of the wider contingent.