A historic moment has arrived for Bangladeshi surfers. Bangladesh has got the opportunity to participate in the surfing event at the Asian Games to be held in Japan in 2026 for the first time. This opportunity comes after securing 9th place out of 18 countries in the 4th Asian Surfing Championship held in Tamil Nadu. Five surfers (Mannan, Hasan, Yunus, Mili and Fatema) represented Bangladesh. The achievement is seen as a big success for the country by the coaches and officials. Rigorous training has already started in Cox’s Bazar, so that Bangladesh can bring good results in the Asian Games and showcase its name on the world stage.
For the first time in the country’s history, Bangladesh has got the opportunity to participate in surfing at the 20th Asian Games to be held in Nagoya, Japan in 2026. This announcement came from the Bangladesh Surfing Association, after the 4th Asian Surfing Championship held in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Bangladesh’s success in the Asian Surfing Championship
18 countries participated in the tournament held from August 3 to 12. Five surfers from Bangladesh, Mannan, Hasan, Yunus, Mili and Fatema are participated, two of whom were female surfers.
With their efforts, Bangladesh achieved 9th place, which is a major milestone in the country’s surfing history. This success was achieved by defeating rivals from 9 countries including Thailand, Singapore, Japan and Kuwait.
Female surfer Fatima Akhtar said,
“I have been surfing for six years. Taking part for the first time in the Asian Surfing Championship in India was an amazing experience. The waves there were point breaks, while in Cox’s Bazar they are beach breaks, which made things a little challenging. But one day we will also succeed, and show the world that Bangladeshi women under the red and green flag can also achieve victory.”
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Another female surfer, Mahima Akhtar Mili, said,
“This was my first time competing in the Asian Surfing Championship. I learnt a lot there and watched many international women surfers. I gained valuable experience. Now my dream is to move forward, take part in more international events, and win for Bangladesh.”
Surfers Mannan, Hassan and Yunus said,
“After finishing the Asian Surfing Championship we returned to Bangladesh. Overall, we did well in India, finishing 9th in all of Asia. Now our dream is the Asian Games – to perform well there and introduce Bangladesh to the world through surfing. With that in mind, we are preparing at Cox’s Bazar beach. As the waves are strong now, we have already started training under our coach’s guidance.”
Team coach Rashed Alam who is hopeful about positive results in the upcoming event said,
“Because the Bangladeshi surfers did well in the Asian Surfing Championship, they have now been included in the 2026 Asian Games. This is a huge achievement for Bangladesh. At present, both male and female surfers have begun intensive training, which will continue uninterrupted. The target now is to improve their skills further, so that they can achieve good results at the Asian Games.”
Party leader Md. Saifullah Sifat said,
“After overcoming many challenges, Bangladeshi surfers have finally been included in the Asian Games. This is wonderful news for surfing in Bangladesh. Now the focus will be on preparing the team properly. A new relationship has also been established with the International Surfing Federation. The target is to strengthen that relationship and take Bangladeshi surfing forward, so that we can take part in more major international competitions.”
The association’s general secretary, Md. Mowazzem Hossain Chowdhury, said,
 “Despite limitations, Bangladeshi surfers are moving forward, thanks to their own determination. But to take surfing further, both government and private sponsorships are essential. We have also applied for membership of the Bangladesh Olympic Association, but this has not yet been approved. If that happens, our surfers will face far fewer obstacles.”
The 20th Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026. Bangladeshi surfers are now busy practicing hard on the beach of Cox’s Bazar to prove their superiority on that stage.
Source: TBS
