Bangladesh steps up para-sport classification drive

Bangladesh has stepped up efforts to establish an internationally aligned classification system in para-sport, with a day-long workshop focusing on accurate athlete assessment and the creation of a level playing field.

The Para Sports Classification Workshop 2026, organised by the National Paralympic Committee of Bangladesh (NPC Bangladesh), was held on Friday at the conference room of the National Stadium, Dhaka. Officials, coaches, organisers, medical professionals and rehabilitation specialists involved in para-sport took part.

Classification is the backbone of fair competition in Paralympic sport. It determines athletes' eligibility and groups them according to the extent to which their impairments affect sport-specific performance, thereby reducing the impact of impairment on competition outcomes. The International Paralympic Committee describes classification as fundamental to maintaining fair and meaningful competition. 

The workshop examined the Paralympic movement and the development of para-sport, disability and inclusion, the role of sport in rehabilitation, practical challenges in classification and coaching strategies. Participants also received theoretical and practical training on the fundamentals of classification and athlete assessment.

Dr Mohammad Sohrab Hossain, Executive Director of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) and an executive member of NPC Bangladesh, chaired the opening session. His position at CRP and role with NPC Bangladesh are independently corroborated by CRP and NPC sources. 

NPC Bangladesh President Mohammad Nasirul Islam, Secretary General Dr Maruf Ahmed Mridul and Special Olympics Bangladesh National Director Farukul Islam were also present.

The committee said it would continue working to increase the pool of trained classifiers, coaches and officials while bringing medical and rehabilitation specialists further into the classification process. 

The initiative comes as Bangladesh prepares for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, where classification will remain a crucial part of ensuring athletes compete within the appropriate sport classes.