DHAKA, June 14, 2023 (BSS) - Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation's (BGF) president Sheikh Bashir Ahmed expressed his happiness over the gymnasts' success in the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Competition (Junior U-17) that concluded recently in Singapore.
"I am very happy over the gymnasts' performance because they (gymnasts) don't have previous experience of performing on such a big stage... the environment from where they have taken part in the competition and performed is also a big challenge for any strong countries...... our environment is vastly different compared to the platforms of Korea and Japan in the competition. I thank the great creator for that and also thank our coach because he managed to instill the mentality of the boys in one place," Bashir told BSS.
Though the BGF was happy with the performance, he had higher expectations from the gymnasts in the competition, Rafil couldn't land on the spot that would have won him the gold medal and, eventually, the young gymnast had to be content with fourth position in the competition.
Bashir said: "If we can continue practicing in this way for another more year, gymnasts will have a fabulous reception for their performance."
The BGF's president, however, admitted that initially they had a few more problems for them in the end, because if the team could have spent at least a week earlier in Singapore, the gymnasts could have adjusted to the local environment better. He said they also had some faults in their plan before sending the team to Singapore because these young gymnasts did not participate in such a big event earlier.
Bashir, who is also a vice president of the Bangladesh Olympic Association, said they have a plan to give a special reward to Rafil and there will also be prizes for every member of the team.
"I want to keep this reward as a surprise and want to hand over the prize through a formal ceremony in the presence of former artistic gymnast Quazi Syque Caesar and the team's Korean coach, Cho Sung Dong. We have a plan to organize a formal ceremony on July 2 or 3 to hand over the gymnast's awards.
Bashir said Syque Caesar is currently staying in France and he promised to bring the whole family to Bangladesh to present in the prize distribution ceremony. The rest of the team members will also receive big rewards as well.
Bashir said the gymnasts have been practicing in the camp for the last eight months under the supervision of a Korean coach and the camp will continue till June 23.
However, the coach of the national team is currently staying in his native country, Korea. The local coach will train the gymnasts. Bashir said the gymnasts were in the camp for the last eight months and they will continue practising till June 23. However, the coach of the national team is currently staying in his country, Korea. At this time, the local coach would train the gymnasts in the interim, he concluded.
Earlier, on Tuesday last, the Bangladesh junior gymnastics team returned home after participating in the just concluded Asian Artistic Gymnastics Competition (Junior U-17) in Singapore.
BGF's president Sheikh Bashir Ahmed received the gymnasts at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the afternoon.
Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Prothistan's (BKSP) gymnast Rafil Ahmed finished fourth in the competition in the vaulting table event under tiebreaking rules with his Kazakhstan rival, talking to BSS, said: "It would have been good if I could perform better, but I am happy with the result."
He also sought cooperation from all to achieve more good results in future events.
"I had an expectation to give my maximum effort in the tournament, but I could not do that as accordingly .... I'll try to achieve better results in the future events," said Rafil.
The 17-year-old lad hailed from Mymensingh district, but did not forget to give credit to BGF's president Sheikh Bashir Ahmed for the success of the team in Singapore.
"Sir (BGF president) always inspires us and supports us in all aspects ... without his inspiration it would not have been possible for us to reach this stage, so all credit goes to him," Rafil said.
Replying to a question, Rafi said he is prepared to take pressure when he will represent the senior team in the near future.
Rafil also praised his team's coach's role behind their success, saying : "The coach works hard and gives his maximum effort to us in the training so that we can do something good and I hope he will take us to a better place."
The young gymnast said he was happy with his own performance in the competition because he had an opportunity to win gold, but due to a basic mistake, he narrowly missed the medal.
Rafil, who has two brothers in his family, said he lost his father three years ago, and said his grandmother inspired him to continue gymnastics.
Earlier, Bangladesh qualified for the final from the top eight by playing the qualifying round. In the final of the vaulting table event, Bangladesh's Rafil and his Kazakhstan rival scored an equal 13.65 points. But, due to tiebreaking rules, the third place medal went to his Kazakhstan rival, while Rafil unfortunately finished fourth in the competition.
Forty-two gymnasts from 16 countries took part in the Junior Asian Artistic Gymnastics competition.
Earlier, on June 10 last, Rafil placed in the top eight with the highest points in the finals of the qualification round of the vaulting table event and, finally, he confirmed the third highest point in that fight.
