Bangladesh swimming and athletics teams will fly for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to take part in the forthcoming Olympic Games without any coach for the respective events.
Bangladesh Swimming Federation general secretary Rafizuddin Rafiz will fly with two swimmers Mahfizur Rahman Sagor and Sonia Akter Tumpa as coach-cum-official although Rafiz does not have any playing and coaching background.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Athletics Federation nominated its senior vice-president Shah Alam as coach-cum-official for two sprinters Mezbahuddin Ahmed and Shirin Akter even though he left his coaching career almost 15 years ago.
BOA secretary general Shahed Reza claimed that they finalised the officials’ list by considering the request of the federations.
‘We selected them as per federations’ wish,’ Reza said on Sunday.
‘It is always better to send a coach with the athlete. We have nothing to do when a federation president or a general desires to go with the athlete.’
Both sports federations, however, asserted that BOA was responsible for not sending any coaches with the swimmers and athletes.
Rafiz will accompany the swimmers instead of national team Korean coach Park Tae Gun, who guided the swimmers since November last year.
Under the guidance of Park, freestyle swimmer Mahfizur won seven bronze medals in the South Asian Games in February in India.
‘BOA asked for the name of an official to accompany swimming team and the federation sent my name as official,’ said Rafiz adding that, ‘They [BOA] didn’t ask for any coach’s name. Better you can ask BOA why they didn’t ask for any coach’s name.
Former swimmer Doli Akhter, who took part in three editions of Olympics, explained the necessity of a coach during such a big event.
‘A technical person like coach looks after all the technical matters during the games,’ said Doli who took part in 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics held respectively in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.
‘A coach gives all information regarding the pool and best timing and how to cope with the unfamiliar condition before the competition. That is very important for a swimmer.’
‘Coach is not only a trainer but also a physiologist who helps a swimmer keeping his or her mind calm,’ said Doli.
Rafiz, however, claimed that he obtained some knowledge after running the federation in the last four years.
‘Though I don’t have any playing or training experience, I have known all the rules after travelling many international events in the last four years as federation secretary.
‘This experience will help me to assist the athletes in Rio,’ said Rafiz.
Meanwhile, The Athletics Federation also followed the tradition of not sending any technical person in the international meet.
‘I have a huge coaching experience though I didn’t continue coaching due to other business,’ said Shah Alam.
‘Federation nominated me considering my experience.’
Both Mezbah and Shirin are Bangladesh Navy sprinters and prepared for the Olympic Games under Bangladesh Navy coach after the federation had failed to arrange any training camp for the sprinters.
After earning the wild-card entries in the eleventh hour, both sprinters started their training at the Bangabandhu National Stadium and Shah Alam started guiding them in the last few days.
Mezbah, however, demanded that they are preparing under Shah Alam in the last couple of month.
‘Shah Alam sir has been guiding us over the last two months for the Olympic,’ said Mezbah.
Coaches of national athletic team refused to make any comments over federation’s decision in fear of losing the job while federation general secretary Ibrahim Chengis, who is also a part of Rio bound Bangladesh contingent, didn’t pick his phone despite repeated efforts.
-With New Age input
