Bangladesh in line to host first South Asian Para Games

Bangladesh may be handed a landmark opportunity to host the inaugural South Asian Para Games, with Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) President Majid Rashed expressing a preference for Dhaka as the venue, according to National Paralympic Committee of Bangladesh (NPC) Secretary General Dr Maruf Ahmed Mridul.

Officials from the seven South Asian countries met Rashed at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Friday, where the proposal for a regional Para Games was discussed.

"If everything goes as planned, the first South Asian Para Games could be held in Dhaka in November or December next year," Mridul said.

He added that Bangladesh could also host the proposed South Asian Para Sports secretariat, while discussions had taken place with officials from India, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and South Korea.

Mridul said Bangladesh had also reached agreements with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Maldives for enhanced training opportunities for its Para athletes. He added that a meeting was held with International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons.

Meanwhile, a preliminary decision has reportedly been taken to launch an Asian Para Swimming Championship. Bangladesh swimming coach Golam Mostafa said officials from around 20 countries attended discussions in Nagoya, with a Tajik official named to lead a feasibility assessment.

The proposed initiatives could give Bangladesh a significant foothold in the regional Para-sport landscape and turn its diplomatic gains in Nagoya into a sporting springboard.