Keeping the 2012 South Asian Games as well as Olympics in mind, Bangladesh Olympic Association awarded one-year scholarships to 15 athletes from different disciplines.
The scholarships have been divided into two categories, the first of which comprises shooters Sharmin Akter Ratna, Abdullah Hel Baki and Sadia Sultana, golfer Dulal Hossain and weightlifter Famida Akter Moina, who will get Tk 10,000 each per month.
The second category consists of 10 athletes boxers Jewel Ahmed, Abdur Rahim, archers Imdadul Haq Milon and Sheikh Sajib, swimmer Mahfizur Rahman, hurdler Sumita Rani, karatekas Morium Khan, Iti Islam of wushu, Sammi Akter of taekwondo and shahanaz Parvin of kabaddi, who all will get Tk 5,000 each.
The 15 scholarships were approved yesterday at the executive committee of Bangladesh Olympic Association after a three-member committee scrutinised a list of 121-athletes from 18 disciplines.
Of the 15 scholarship holders, eight are gold medallists in the 2010 SA Games which was held in Bangladesh and others are also medal holders in SA Games or at international level.
“Before selecting those athletes, we have considered their international and domestic performances and kept their current ages in mind so that they can bring laurel to the nation in the 2012 SA Games in India and 2012 London Olympics,” said AK Sarkar, chairman of the selection committee as well as deputy secretary general of Bangladesh Olympic Association.
He said that cricketers and footballers were not considered for the scholarships because they earn well through the domestic competitions.
He also informed that an evaluation would take place after six months and the contracts will be renewed after the evaluation of the athletes’ performances.
Unfortunately, the meeting did not discuss about long-term training though Sarkar said that they had a plan for a long-term training and they would ask the government to sanction fund.
