Bangladeshi surfers secure first-ever spot in Asian Games

For the very first time, the Bangladesh surfing team has earned the opportunity to compete in the Asian Games. At the 20th edition of the Games, to be held in Japan in 2026, Bangladeshi surfers will participate directly in the surfing competition.

The announcement came from the Bangladesh Surfing Association after the team returned from the nine-day-long Asian Surfing Championship held in Tamil Nadu, India.

According to the Association, the 4th Asian Surfing Championship was held in Tamil Nadu with 18 countries taking part. From 3 to 12 August, five Bangladeshi surfers, including two women, competed in the event. Beating competitors from nine countries including Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and Kuwait, Bangladesh secured 9th place through the efforts of surfers Mannan, Hasan, Yunus, Mili, and Fatema. From there came the good news – Bangladesh was officially handed a card to participate in Asian Games surfing for the first time.

Sources said the Bangladesh team returned home on Thursday. With a mega event ahead, there was no time to rest. By Friday, the surfers were already back in training at Cox's Bazar beach, battling one wave after another. The surfers expressed their hope of achieving something special on the Asian stage.

Female surfer Fatema Akhter 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."

Surfer Mahima Akhter 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 Mohammad Mannan, Hasan 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."

The Bangladesh surfing team is being coached by Rashed Alam, who is hopeful about positive results in the upcoming event.

Coach Rashed Alam 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."

The Bangladesh Surfing Association is also optimistic about overcoming challenges and achieving something remarkable at the Games.

Team 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."

General Secretary of the Association, Md Moazzem Hossain Chowdhury, added: "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."

It should be noted that the 20th Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October next year.