Kabaddi, Handball, Squash teams for SA Games

Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, Bangladesh Handball Federation and Bangladesh Squash Rackets Federation with a promise of improved performance announced their squad for the forthcoming 11th SA Games, the biggest sports extravaganza of the sub-continent at the BOA House in the city Wednesday.
The eight-nation 12-day sports extravaganza of the region will be held in capital Dhaka and four other divisional cities from January 29 to February 9.
Bangladesh Kabbadi team, which earned several silver and bronze medals from Asian Games and South Asian Games, this time look for the first-ever gold medal, as the team has been groomed with year-long training program.
Players of both the men’s and women’s kabaddi team have also been motivated to display their best performance on home soil for the sake of the country, said Kabaddi team coach Abdul Jalil, who is associated with the game since 1988 as a player.
“So far we’ve not beaten India; we have tasted victories against Pakistan on a number of occasions. This time, we are looking for the gold as we are well prepared with long term training,” he added.
Jalil, however, said the team will miss the services of key player Ziaur Rahman, who has been ruled out of the meet due to injury.
Abdul Hakim, the coach of the women’s kabaddi team, also expressed his optimism to reach the final of the meet.
Five teams — India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — will compete in the men’s kabaddi while four teams — India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — will participate in the women’s group of the event.
Bangladesh Men’s Kabaddi team: Al Mamun, Kamal Hossain Sr, Enamul Huq, Abu Saleh Musa, Mozammel Huq, Mosharraf Hossain, Raju Ahmed, Maftun Huq, Sadequl Islam, Arshaduzzaman, Tipu Sultan, Kamal Hossain Jr, and Coach – Abdul Jalil.
Bangladesh Women’s Kabbadi team: Shahnaz Parvin Maleka, Maleka Parvin, Kazi Shahin Ara, Juny Chakma, Farzana Akter Baby, Fatema Akter Sheila, Hasna Mariam Barna, Fatema Akter Polly, Rupali Akter, Dolly Shefali, Sharmin Sultana Rima, Hena Akter, and Coach – Abdul Hakim.
Bangladesh Handball team also eyes gold medal:
Bangladesh handball team, which is boosted up with technical and tactical support of German coach Wolfgang Lowak, expressed their high optimism of winning the gold medal in the SA Games.
In support of their high optimism, Kamrul Islam Kiron, the local handball coach of Bangladesh team, said: “The physical condition of the players is very good and we have adopted new ideas and techniques. We are confident to fight neck to neck with our competitors.”
Bangladesh has been place in group B with Nepal and Afghanistan while Group A comprises India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh Handball team – Amzad Hossain, Sohrab Khan, Mir Saiduzzaman, Mir Khairuzzaman, Jahangir Alam, Asadaul Alam, Kamrul Islam, Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury, Sharif Titumir, Jamal Hossain, Kamal Hossain and Rasel Chakma.
Stand-by players: Didar Hossain, Sudhan Barua, Abu Taher Sikder, Emdadul Huq Hera.
Head Coach – Wolfgang Lowak, Local Coach – Kamrul Islam Kiron.Bangladesh Squash team eyes silver:
In the last SA Games in Colombo, Bangladesh squash team won the bronze in their first appearance, but with the recent improvements they look for the silver this time.
US Coach of Bangladesh team Will Mather said confidently, “we have a wonderful opportunity ahead to show our potential and we have prepared ourselves to fight till the end. Bangladesh will perform with distinction.”
General Secretary of Squash Federation said the squash team was scheduled to leave here for Kolkata on Wednesday on a 10-day tour designed as an exposure for the players.
Bangladesh Squash team: Swapan Parvez, Masud Rana, Rajon Kumam Raju, Shahidul Islam Shumon, and Coach – Will Mather.
(With the input from UNB)