A 25-strong table tennis squad has jetted off to Hunan Province, China, for an intensive training camp. This marks a historic moment as it’s the first time such a large contingent of Bangladeshi players has ventured abroad for focused training. The 42-day programme aims to develop young talent, with a core group of 20 players – 11 boys and nine girls – forming the backbone of the expedition.
Fourteen members of the squad earned their place through representing Bangladesh at the recent South Asian TT Championships in Sri Lanka. The remaining six players were selected on merit from a pool of promising 10 to 13-year-olds. The team is under the guidance of four coaches and a coordinator.
Khandkar Hasan Munir, a key figure in Bangladeshi table tennis, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. He revealed that the camp was made possible through a year-long collaboration between the Sports Ministry, Economic Relations Department, and the Chinese Embassy. The Chinese government is generously funding the entire trip and has committed to ongoing support.
While foreign coaches have previously contributed to the development of Bangladeshi table tennis – including notable names from North Korea, India, and France – this is the first time such a large group has been sent to China for an extended training period. The move has been widely welcomed, with five-time national champion Manas Chowdhury praising the initiative. However, both Chowdhury and six-time champion Mahbub Billah raised concerns about the selection process for players and coaches. Billah also highlighted the need for more regular domestic competitions, criticising the federation's lack of activity in organising leagues and tournaments. Munir, however, defended the selection process, insisting that only qualified personnel had been chosen.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to the sport, with playing venues rendered unusable for eight months due to damaged wooden floors. Despite this setback, the federation claims to have maintained a regular schedule of events, including national championships, the Bangladesh Games, league matches, and ranking tournaments. They are optimistic that the China training camp will yield positive results.
This ambitious venture represents a significant step forward for Bangladeshi table tennis. It offers a unique opportunity for young players to develop their skills under expert guidance and gain invaluable international experience.
