DHAKA, July 13, 2023 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation (BGF) handed over cash awards to the young gymnasts who took part in the 16th Asian Artistic Gymnastics held last month in Singapore.
 
The award distribution ceremony was held today (Thursday) at National Sports Council (NSC) Gymnasium.
 
Bangladesh Olympic Association's (BOA) Secretary General Syed Shahed Reza, NSC's director (Sports) Habibur Rahman Hakim, Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation's (BGF) president and BOA's vice president Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Bangladesh Basketball Federation's general secretary and BOA's treasurer AK Sarkar, BGF's general Secretary Ahmedur Rahman, Bangladesh Handball Federation's general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor, Bangladesh Boxing Federation's general secretary Mazharul Islam Tuhin, team's Korean coach Cho Sung Dong, Bangladeshi born USA expatriate gymnast Quazi Syque Ceasar, Bangladeshi-origin American expatriate female boxer Zeenat Ferdous, were among others, were present in the prize distribution ceremony.
 
Six gymnasts -- Rajib Chakma, Prenthio Mro, Rafil Ahmed, Mongching Pro Tripura, Menton Toni Mro and Wohai Mong Marma - represented Bangladesh in the championship. Although Bangladesh could not win any medal in Singapore, but Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Prothistan's gymnast Rafil Ahmed finished fourth position in the vaulting table event.
 
The 17-year-old BKSP gymnast had to contend with fourth place as he narrowly deprived from a medal from touch distance. He earlier qualified in the top eight by playing the qualifying round. In the final of the vaulting table event, Bangladesh's Rafil and his Kazakhstan rival scored equal 13.65 points. But, due to tie breaking 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.
 
For the first time in the history of Bangladesh gymnastics, an athlete achieved such a feat at the international level. In continuation of this, cash prizes were handed over to the gymnasts for such achievements by the BGF.
 
Rafil received Taka 1 lakh and 50 thousand while the remaining five gymnasts were given Taka 30 thousand each. In addition, the Korean coach of the national team, Cho Sang Dong, received Taka 50 thousand while each of the assistant coaches got Taka 25,000.
 
Quazi Syque Ceasar, who brought the first gold medal for Bangladesh in International gymnastics, was thrilled and overwhelmed with emotion of his old memories at the NSC gymnasium after coming back his motherland nearly twelve years
 
He represented Bangladesh in 2012 London Olympics and also participated in South Central Asian Championship, World Championship, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Bangladesh dreamed of its first medal in the Olympics around him, but that dream was not fulfilled. He succumbed to injury and returned to the United States. Currently, Quazi Syque Ceasar is involved in the coaching profession in the United States. He started his coaching career in 2015.
 
Talking to BSS he said: "How many exercises I have done on this floor in the gymnasium here ...... the memory of those days remind me after coming here .... I am really excited ....I have been here many times as a child. I have never forgotten my motherland."
 
The young gymnasts demonstrated various events including vaulting table, pommel horse in front of the invited guests. Syque Ceasar closely observed the demonstration and then talked with the Korean coach. While reminiscing, he talks about how he was involved in gymnastics. Breaking the mystery of why he could not perform as expected in the London Olympics.
 
"In January 2012, my bicep was torn, but I didn't tell it anyone. I kept it a secret. But now I am saying that today. It happened a week before leaving for London. After that I played in the Olympics in London where I participated floor, parallel bars and horizontal bars with injuries."
 
Syque Ceasar also gives various tips to the gymnasts of Bangladesh. He also expressed his hope to come to Bangladesh again and want to coach the Bangladesh gymnasts for a couple of months if he gets a chance.
 
Federation president Sheikh Bashir Ahmed sees a lot of potential among Bangladeshi gymnasts and I also see a huge potential among these boys.