Ace golfer Siddikur Rahman will be the flag bearer of Bangladesh during the opening ceremony of the next month’s Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Bangladesh Olympic Federation president general Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq declared it on Thursday. BOA president also urged the Rio Games bound athletes to keep the pride of the country intact as the chief of army staff had a courtesy meeting with the athletes at the Kurmitola Golf Club on Thursday.
Siddik obtained the honour to become the first ever Bangladeshi player to qualify for the Olympics.
Apart from Siddik, shooter Abdullah Hel Baki, archer Shyamoly Roy, swimmers Mahfizur Rahman Sagar and Sonia Akter Tumpa were also present on the occasion.
BOA president also inspired the athletes by reminding them the award policy of BOA. The local Olympic body earlier decided to provide Tk one crore for gold winner, Tk 50 lakh for silver medal winner and Tk 25 lakh for bronze medal winner as cash reward.
‘BOA president asked the athletes to keep their discipline during the games,’ said BOA secretary general Shahed Reza, who was also present on the occasion, on behalf of general Shafiul.
‘President also asked the athletes to try their level best. He also praised Siddikur for his outstanding achievement and announced him as national flag bearer which he deserved.’
Meanwhile, Siddik expressed his excitement after the announcement saying that, ‘I am really honoured to get the opportunity of bearing the national flag on such as big stage.’
‘Qualifying directly for the Olympics Games was a great achievement for me and the joy became even bigger after the BOA’s announcement.’
Though the BOA is yet to finalise the contingent, as they were still hoping to get at least one wild-card in the track and field event, when the report was filed, the flight schedule of the athletes has been confirmed as the shooting team will fly for Rio on July 31 while swimming team will fly on August 1 and golf and archery teams will fly on August 2.
-With New Age input
