SPORTS REPORTER

Since the political changeover on August 5, a number of international sporting events were moved away from Bangladesh due to the evolving situation. But the country’s capital, Dhaka, is now set to host two badminton tournaments this month.

More than 200 shuttlers from 19 countries are supposed to take part in two separate tournaments– Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh Junior International Series beginning on December 13 and Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge starting on December 17 -- at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium.

Although the junior competition featuring US$5000-prize money will be contested by only three countries including the hosts, 19 countries -- India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Maldives, Thailand, Myanmar, Canada, England, Ukraine, Italy, Bulgaria, Finland, Uganda, and Bangladesh – will fight for the US$ 15000 senior tournament. Each tournament will feature five events -- boys’ and girls’ singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Around 55 shuttlers from Bangladesh will compete in the junior meet while 61 shuttlers from the host country will participate in the senior event.

“We are expecting that the shuttlers will produce some good results in both tournaments as we won some medals in junior tournaments in the past,” Bangladesh Badminton Federation’s acting president Qurmrun Nahar Dana said at a press conference at the BOA auditorium yesterday.

Tournament director and executive member Taptun Nasrin said that they have taken all preparations to make both tournaments successful, including ensuring security for the players.

Elina Sultana and Mohammad Javed, former national women’s and men’s champions respectively, have been given the responsibility to guide the female and male shuttlers of Bangladesh.