DHAKA, Jan 18, 2022 (BSS) - In the modern world, sports is considered as
one of the criteria for overall development of a country. In the
international arena, sports play a very significant role in addition to
social and economic development. That's why sport has become a unique tool in
the path of development.
Bangladesh is not lagging behind to this end. Over the last several years,
the government has undertaken various projects for the development of sports,
which has gained a reputation not only in the country but also abroad. Sports
also play a vital role in eliminating gender inequality as it develops
physical and mental health of women.
Women's participation in sports increases their knowledge, experience and
skills. Subsequently, a leadership attitude develops among them and in this
way they create their own employment opportunities.
The Ministry of Sports of Bangladesh is also working relentlessly for the
development of sports so that all the physically able men and women of the
society can participate with it. The ministry has already attached women with
various sports to ensure their participation in sports and their
independence.
Consequently, Bangladeshi women athletes have made a unique place for the
country's red-green flag in various international competitions in the last
three years.
In 2015, Bangladesh defeated host Nepal in the final of the AFC U-14
Women's Football Championship held to win the regional championship title.
That was the biggest achievement of any team under-14 women of Bangladesh.
This year, the teenagers of Bangladesh won the title again last month.
Bangladesh women's cricket team won the Asia Cup title by defeating the
mighty India. For the first time, Bangladesh women's cricket team has
qualified for the 50-over Cricket World Cup.
Recently, Dia Siddiqui has won the bronze medal at the Asian Archery
Championships held in the country. Although the name of the tournament was
Asia Cup, the standard of this tournament was after the World Cup as the
archers of Korea who won the gold medal in Japan Olympics also took part in
this tournament. The winning of this medal by Dia was a great achievement of
Bangladesh in the international arena.
Moreover, Mabia Akhter Simanta has brought a unique honor for Bangladesh.
In 2019, she had brought gold medal for the country in the SA Games. In 2016,
Mabia won the gold medal for Bangladesh in the 63-kg category at the South
Asian Games in Guwahati, India. Earlier in 2015, she had won a gold medal and
two silver medals in the senior and junior categories in the 63-kg weight
class at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Pune, India.
Born in Madaripur, Mabia also won a bronze medal in the South Asian
Weightlifting Championships in 2012 and a silver medal in the Commonwealth
Games in Malaysia in 2013.
Replying to a query she said Bangladesh's women athletes have bright
prospects in the international sports arena, but adequate training and
facilities have to be ensured for every athlete in their respective fields.
Mabia, who won the first gold medal in this category in the South Asian
Games, said that there are many talented girls in different parts of
Bangladesh. Many of them can bring great honor for Bangladesh. Currently,
this talented athlete is working in Ansar.
Mahfuza Khatun Shila's name will be written in golden letters in the
history of swimming in Bangladesh. In 2016, she won the first gold medal for
Bangladesh in 100-m breaststroke in the 12th SA Games held in Guwahati,
India.
Born in a poor family in Panchkabar village of Abhaynagar upazila of
Jashore district, Shila started her career through participating in the
Shishu Academy's swimming competition in 1999. As a third grader student, she
won the first prize in her life. In 2002, she won the first gold medal in
100-m breaststroke in the age-based swimming competition held in Dhaka.
Shila has completed her Honors and Masters programs from the Communication
and Journalism Department of Chittagong University. Now she is working in the
Bangladesh Navy.
