Dhaka, August 17, 2025: Bangladesh surfing team has got the opportunity to participate in the Asian Games for the first time. The young surfers in red and green will directly participate in the 20th Asian Games to be held in Nagoya, Japan in 2026.
The Bangladesh Surfing Association confirmed this information. Bangladesh qualified for the Asian Games by participating in the recently concluded '4th Asian Surfing Championship' in Tamil Nadu, India.
The Asian Surfing Championship was held on the seashore of Tamil Nadu, India, from August 3 to 12. 18 countries participated in it. The 5 surfers who participated from Bangladesh are: Mohammad Mannan, Hasan, Yunus, Mahima Akter Mili and Fatema Akter. Bangladesh achieved a respectable 9th place, surpassing the strong teams of South and Southeast Asia. With this success, Bangladesh got a ticket to the Asian Games 2026.
The red-green surfers have no chance to rest after returning home. Hard practice has begun at the Cox's Bazar beach. Mannan-Hasan are fighting the waves every day under the supervision of coach Rashed Alam. The goal is one - to bring honor to the country at the Asian Games.
Regarding this, Rashed Alam, coach of the Bangladesh national surfing team, said, "The surfers have got a place in the Asian Games because they did well in the championship this time. This is a huge achievement. Hard practice has started from now on. Work is constantly going on to improve the skills of the surfers."
Female surfer Fatema Akter said, "I have been surfing for six years. It was a new experience to participate in an international event for the first time. The waves there were point breaks, and we had beach breaks in Cox's Bazar, so we had some problems. But we are confident that we will win one day."
Mahima Akhter Mili said, "I gained a lot of experience the first time. Now the goal is to move forward and win for the country."
Mohammad Mannan, Hasan and Yunus said that they have just returned home after completing the Asian Surfing Championship. They are happy with their performance in India. Now their dream is to do something good in the Asian Games and introduce Bangladesh to the world through surfing. With that goal in mind, they are preparing at the Cox's Bazar sea beach.
Bangladesh Surfing Association General Secretary Md. Moazzem Hossain Chowdhury said, 'Despite the limitations, we are moving forward. However, government and private sponsorship is needed. At the same time, the cooperation of the Bangladesh Olympic Association is also desirable.'
Association team leader Md. Saifullah Sifat said, 'We are here today after overcoming many challenges. Getting a place in the Asian Games is a huge achievement. We have established a relationship with the International Surfing Federation, and now the goal is to participate in bigger competitions.'
The 20th Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026. For the first time, red-green surfers will represent the country there. This achievement has opened the door to new possibilities at the national level. This success of young surfers may one day make surfing a mainstream sport in Bangladesh.
0 Comments