Bangladesh Government Approves Shooting Team for Delhi Event After Cricket Withdrawal
In a notable development, the Bangladesh government has granted clearance for its shooting team to participate in the Asian Shooting Championships in New Delhi, scheduled to commence on February 2. This decision comes just days after the nation cited security concerns to withdraw its cricket team from the upcoming T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Contrasting Decisions on Sports Security
Last week, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), acting on government advice, announced that it would not send its cricket squad for the prestigious T20 World Cup, explicitly pointing to security risks. However, on Wednesday, authorities reversed course for the shooting contingent, allowing a two-member team to travel to India. The team is expected to arrive in New Delhi on January 31 to compete at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range.
Official Justifications for the Shooting Clearance
According to reports from The Daily Star, the clearance was issued at the "eleventh hour," with Youth and Sports Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam explaining the rationale. He stated, "Only a shooter and a coach are travelling. The venue is fully secured, and general spectator involvement is very limited. We have also been assured by the hosts that there is no security threat." Additionally, National Sports Council Director Mohammad Aminul Ahsan emphasized the differences between the two sports, noting that shooting is an indoor event with minimal crowd presence, unlike cricket, which attracts large audiences in expansive stadiums.
India's Response and Procedural Assurances
Pawan Singh, secretary-general of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), clarified that there were no issues from the Indian side regarding the shooting team's participation. He detailed, "We sought clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, and Sports Ministry—standard procedure when athletes travel with weapons. We got clearance from all three. Bangladesh sent entries like any other country. From our end, there was no issue." This stands in contrast to the cricket scenario, where Bangladesh rejected repeated assurances from India and the International Cricket Council about the absence of credible security threats.
Background of the Cricket Withdrawal and Diplomatic Tensions
The cricket withdrawal stemmed from escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh. It began when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi player Mustafizur from their squad for the 2026 season on January 3, without providing a specific reason. Subsequently, on January 4, the BCB formally notified the ICC of its decision not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup, requesting that matches be relocated to Sri Lanka. The BCB's firm stance ultimately led the ICC to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament.
Details of the Shooting Championship and Participants
The Asian Shooting Championships will feature 327 shooters from various countries, as per the International Shooting Sport Federation, with the event concluding on February 14. Bangladesh will be represented by rifle shooters Robiul Islam, who placed 43rd at the Paris Olympics, and Shaira Arefin. This participation underscores Bangladesh's commitment to promoting friendship through sports, as highlighted by officials, despite the recent cricket-related security apprehensions.
This series of events highlights the complex interplay between sports, security, and international relations, with Bangladesh adopting divergent strategies for different sporting disciplines based on perceived risk factors and diplomatic considerations.
