After weeks of uncertainty and internal conflict, the Bangladesh table tennis team will finally depart for Kathmandu this evening to take part in the South Asian regional qualifiers for the World Cup. The team is set to compete in the team events scheduled for 30–31 July in Nepal.
The Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation (BTTF) had initially decided not to send a team to the qualifiers, citing a disagreement between players and officials over the selection process. While the federation preferred a selection-based approach, players insisted on using official rankings to determine the squad. The standoff prompted the federation to notify organisers that Bangladesh would not participate, sparking widespread criticism from the sporting community and media.
The World Cup qualifiers are considered a vital tournament for the development of table tennis in Bangladesh, and the decision to withdraw led to concern within sports administration circles. Under growing pressure and public scrutiny, the federation reversed its decision and agreed to send a team based on player rankings. Although the final entry was confirmed after the official deadline, persistent negotiations allowed Bangladesh to secure participation.
The men’s team includes Ramhim Lian Bom, Hridoy, Javed Ahmed, and Iman, while the women’s squad features Sonam Sultana Soma, Mou, Khoy Khoy, and Oishi. The team will be led by coach Syed Mahmuduzzaman Shahed.
Speaking ahead of their departure, senior player Javed Ahmed said, “It’s a relief and a positive step that we are finally going. We only found out five or six days ago that we would be playing, so we had to prepare ourselves mentally in a short time. We’ve intensified training as much as possible.”
Another key member of the men’s team, Ramhim, noted the challenge of balancing academics and sport: “I had to manage university exams alongside practice, so my preparation hasn’t been ideal. Still, I remain hopeful of a strong performance.”
Participating nations in the Nepal qualifiers include India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The tournament winner will qualify for the Table Tennis World Cup in England next year. India, as the top-ranked South Asian nation, is expected to qualify automatically based on its Asian ranking. In that case, a runner-up finish in Nepal could be enough for Bangladesh to secure a World Cup berth — a realistic and motivating goal for the team.
Despite the setbacks, Bangladesh’s players are determined to make the most of the opportunity and aim for a breakthrough performance on the regional stage.