Emdadul Haque Milon, Bangladesh’s first medalist in the history of the Islamic Solidarity Games, returned home on Thursday hoping for better facilities to help athletes raise their standards. Milon clinched the silver medal in the 70-metre recurve individual event in Indonesia on September 27, losing to Egypt’s Ahmed Al Imri in the final round. The 22-year old Milon admitted that the Bangladeshi contingent was not even pondering winning a medal, let alone a silver one, in the Islamic Solidarity Games.
‘Nobody from our team thought about claiming a medal, but I proved that we have the potential to achieve success in the international arena,’ Milon said on Friday.
‘If the people of the nation treat this success positively then that will be my best recognition,’ he added.
Many quarters, including the media, had criticised the Bangladesh Olympic Association for their decision to send the athletes to the Games, which infuriated Milon. The archer mentioned that the medal was an answer for the detractors.
‘In the press conference right before the Islamic Solidarity Games, many journalists raised questions regarding our participation. I think those types of questions decreased the athletes’ confidence. This medal is one kind of a counter for the critics,’ said Milon.
Milon was of the opinion that the standard of competition was comparatively higher than that of all the South-Asian tournaments, with only the Asian Archery Championship featuring better quality.
‘The standard of competition was better than the other South Asian tournaments where we are regularly taking part. But the standards were a bit higher in the Asian Archery Championship because of the participation of all the top-level archers,’ said Milon, who began his career in 2007 and has taken part in several top-level competitions, including the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Milon said that it would help Bangladeshi archers to practise in a more windy area just before the start of any competition.
‘We prepared in a narrow area, where there was not enough wind. If we get the chance to practise in windy areas like Cox’s Bazar then we will adapt well with the wind,’ said Milon.
He also appealed to authorities for financial assistance, which he thinks will enhance the athletes’ chances of attaining glory in the future.
‘We do not have any individual sponsors so we fail to participate in the top-level competitions on a regular basis.
‘The Bangladesh Archery Federation endeavoured hard to provide us with facilities, but still we are developing slowly as it is not enough,’ said Milon.
Meanwhile, BOA general secretary Shahed Reza afforded a warm reception to medal winners Milon and Taekwondo player Sraboni Bishwas on Thursday at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Milon and Sraboni are now patiently awaiting their promised rewards from the BOA.
-With New Age input
