Bangabandhu artistic gymnastics begins

The fifth edition of the Central South Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships began at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.

To observe the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the event is named as Bangabandhu fifth Central South Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Foreign Minister D. AK Abdul Momen inaugurated the championship where state minister for youth and sports Zahid Ahsan Russel was also present.

Secretary-General of Bangladesh Olympic Association Syed Shahed Reza was also present as guest of honour.

Olympic gold medalist Russian gymnast Margarita Mamun who has Bangladeshi descent was also there to inspire the gymnasts as a goodwill ambassador.

“It is a global standard gymnastics competition. I thank the organizers for inviting me to this wonderful event. All the best to everyone,” said Margarita, who won the Olympic gold in the all-around event of Rio Olympic 2016.

Margarita said that she did not have an exact plan about being involved in gymnastics in Bangladesh but that the association between her and the country had just begun.

“I don’t have an exact plan [involving gymnastics in Bangladesh]. I’ve just come here. But I’m sure it won’t be the last time and my association with the country has just begun. I know that artistic gymnastics are played here but I particularly want to initiate rhythmic gymnastics in Bangladesh,” she said.

She also added that she was grateful for the support she received from the people in Bangladesh.

“I’ve always been grateful for the support I received from Bangladeshi people before and after the Olympics. Whenever I see Bangladeshi people in Moscow, my heart is filled with love for them.

“During the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games this year in Tokyo, I was waiting for the Bangladeshi delegation to appear. I always love to see and meet the people of Bangladesh anywhere in the world. People, say for example in Canada, walked up to me and said that they knew me and my father,” Margarita said.

Apart from hosts Bangladesh; Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan are taking part in this event.

A total of 67 gymnasts from six countries will be competing in three categories for 22 events in this competition.

12 participants from Bangladesh are competing in this championship.