Bangladesh youth TT team depart for Shimla

The Bangladesh youth table tennis team left the country on Monday for Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, with hopes of delivering a strong performance in the upcoming South Asian Junior competition.

The tournament, serving as the South Asian qualifying event for the 30th Asian Youth Championships 2026, will be held from April 8 to 11 in Shimla. Alongside Bangladesh, teams from SAARC nations, including hosts India, will take part in the competition.

Bangladesh will compete in the under-15 and under-19 categories for both boys and girls, featuring in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events.

A 20-member delegation, led by Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation (BTTF) general secretary Captain A M Maksud Ahmed Sonnet, has travelled to India. Former national champion and BTTF vice-president Tahmina Tarmim Binu is serving as team manager. The coaching staff includes BKSP’s Dhananjay Shil Tirtha and ITTF Level-2 coach Regan Barua, said a press release from BTTF.

In the under-19 boys’ category, the team comprises captain Nafiz Iqbal, Abul Hashem Hasib, Tahmidur Rahman Sakib, and Joy Islam. The under-19 girls’ side features captain Khoi Khoi Marma, Reshmi Tonchongya, Oishi Rahman, and Nusrat Jahan.

The under-15 boys’ team includes captain Shahin Ahmed, Midul Rahman, Tamzidul Islam Parash, and Rabbi Islam. The under-15 girls’ team is led by captain Mosammat Rafia Chowdhury, alongside Jannat Islam Roza, Mosammat Jannatul Roza, and Sabiha Akter Papiya.

Of the 16 players in the squad, 12 are current students of BKSP, while two are former students -- one representing the Bangladesh Army and another Green Table Tennis. The remaining two players represent the Bangladesh Army and Rangpur Table Tennis Association respectively, added the press release.

Speaking about the team’s preparation, Sonnet said the squad underwent a rigorous 33-day intensive training camp at BKSP, even before receiving the official prospectus of the competition.

Reflecting on last year’s performance in Kathmandu, where Bangladesh secured seven bronze medals but failed to qualify for the Asian Youth Championships due to competition rules, Sonnet expressed optimism this time around.

“We are very hopeful of qualifying this year,” he said, adding that the tournament will be the final appearance for several senior youth players. “We believe they will make their last outing memorable and bring honour for the country.”