Bangladesh’s last-ditch attempt of getting a wildcard entry for SA Games gold medallist Mahfuza Khatun Shila in Rio de Janeiro Olympics went in vain as the game’s international governing body of swimming FINA refused to entertain the request. Shila, who won two gold medals in 12th SA Games in 100-metre and 50-metre, was hoping to get the wildcard under special consideration after she earlier missed out the FINA World Championship.
According to FINA rules, only those, who had participated in 16th FINA World Swimming Championship held in 2015 in Kazan, will be considered for the Olympic wildcard.
Mahfizur Rahman Sagar, Sonia Akter Tumpa, Nazma Khatun and Jewel Ahmed represented Bangladesh in the meet and only they will be eligible for the wildcard, said Bangladesh Swimming Federation officials.
However, Shila outperformed all of them in the SA Games to appear as the best swimmer of the country which had prompted the federation to seek a wildcard for her under special consideration.
‘The FINA recently turned down our request. It means Shila cannot go to the Olympics though she did exceptionally well in the SA Games,’ said, Laila Nur, the chairman, training and development committee of the federation.
The decision left Shila dejected as she was hoping for good news from FINA authority.
The 27-year former journalism student of Chittagong University was left ruing federation’s decision to ignore her in World Championship despite a good performance in national meet.
Shila broke the South Asian record for 50-metre breaststroke in the National Championship in Gopalgonj in 2015 only
to be overlooked by the officials for World Championship.
‘I don’t know why I was overlooked by the selection committee despite putting some good performance in the National Championship,’ said a frustrated Shila.
‘I repeatedly requested the officials to give a chance in the World Championship because I knew this was how I could fulfill my dream to compete in the Olympics. But I was ignored.’
Shila accused the federation of taking unnecessary time for raising her issue to FINA after her double crown in the SA Games.
‘I know the rule but I also know that a member country can always bargain with the world body for a potential swimmer as I proved that I am better than any other swimmer of the country,’ said Shila.
‘If the federation could start bargain with the FINA immediately after my success in SA Games, I’m sure they would have considered me.’
‘As a swimmer my only job is to develop my timing and on every occasion I did it but I didn’t get the recognition that I deserved.’
Bangladesh Olympic Association deputy secretary general Ashikur Rahman Miku said they will dig deep why the federation did not include Shila for the World Championship.
‘We are really shocked to know that the federation made Shila ineligible for Olympics by ignoring her in the World Championship. We will look into the matter,’ he said.
-With New Age input
