Dhaka: The Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF) is gearing up to commence kabaddi training camps for the upcoming Asian Youth Games and South Asian (SA) Games in the first week of July. The third edition of the Asian Youth Games is scheduled to take place in Bahrain from October 22-31, featuring 21 sports and 26 disciplines. Meanwhile, the SA Games are slated for January 23-31 in Pakistan next year. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BKF General Secretary SM Newaz Shohag shared that the federation plans to initiate four simultaneous camps for both the Asian Youth Games and SA Games. These camps will kick off in July and continue until the respective games commence. Initially, the camps will host fifty boys and fifty girls selected from this year's Festival of Youth for the Asian Youth Games, while thirty male and thirty female athletes will participate in the SA Games camp. The number of athletes will be reduced at a later stage. The training camps will be conducted at various venues both within and o utside the capital. Shohag emphasized that the athletes' training, overseen by the Bangladesh Olympic Association, is supervised by the National Sports Council (NSC). As the NSC's talent hunt program is set to continue until June 30, the kabaddi camps will promptly follow in July. In response to inquiries, Shohag revealed plans to hire a foreign coach to oversee training for both major events. However, challenges such as language barriers, visa issues, and other complications have arisen in securing a coach from India. Despite these obstacles, Shohag remains optimistic about finding a suitable coaching solution soon. Bangladesh secured a bronze medal in kabaddi at the last SA Games held in Nepal. This time, the general secretary is hopeful for an improved performance, aiming for a silver medal in the upcoming competition.
