DHAKA, May 12, 2022 (BSS)- Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation’s (BGF) president Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Mamun was one of those 85 sports personalities who received prestigious national sports award.

In presence (virtual) of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina those 85 sports personalities received the award for their outstanding contribution in country’s sports.

Mamun, a dedicated sports organizer was over the moon after receiving highest title of the sports, stating that he is happy and proud of what he had achieved.

Although Mamun started his national level career as a cricket organizer, he later took charge of the BGF. He is currently serving the federation as its president. He is also acting as the vice president of the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA).

In an exclusive interview with BSS, Mamun expressed his determination to bring the first Olympic medal for Bangladesh through gymnastics.

The following are some excerpts from the interview:

Q: What’s your reaction to receive such a prestigious award?

A: I am happy and proud. This is the highest award in the country's sports arena. I am very happy to receive this award. I am grateful to the head of government and to those who have nominated me for this award.

Q: Who inspired you to come in sports?

A: In fact, my biggest inspiration is my father. He was a true sports lover. I saw him coming to Dhaka to watch cricket matches and even he was used to go to Kolkata or Mumbai to watch cricket matches. That was the reason, a weakness grew in my mind for the game.  When I was in school, I enjoyed watching and participating in the annual games, including football and cricket. So I tried to involve myself in the sports. However, I was more inclined towards organizing the game than participating in the game. Although I was equally interested in other sports, I became interested in hockey in school life. I played hockey for the school team. But, football and cricket were also great choices then. Although, I could not go far, But as an organizer, I tried to play a role from school life.

I would get up in the morning and go to the field to play and organize the game. And my parents then encouraged me. They used to say play sports, body and mind will remain in good shape if you involve yourself in sports.

After completing school life, I came to Dhaka from Satkhira and got admitted in Dhaka College and then went o BUET. In the meantime, Abahani Club was established under the visionary leadership of the late Sheikh Kamal. He was our icon at that time. We used to go to Abahani Club to watch the game. By joining Abahani Club, I became interested in cricket and football. Sheikh Kamal's inspiration was prelude to be involved with the club as supporter. He also inspired us to be associated with the activities of the club. We also did not hesitate to join the club activities.

Q: How satisfied are you with the current position of the sports in Bangladesh?

A:  The current condition of the sports in Bangladesh is much better than before. We are more organized and moving forward with much more goals. We are doing well internationally in various sports. But, we should have done better. In the past we are not well-organized in this way. For the past four to eight years in fact, we have been moving forward in a planned way so that we can do well in regional and international games. With this aim various organizations such as the Olympic Association and different federations are moving forward.

However, I am not completely satisfied. The National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports need to play a little more role. Especially the games that have the most potential should be given priority. In that way we will be able to take those games forward in a more planned way and we will get more success. 

Q: What is your advice for the development of sports?

A: For the development of the sports, every discipline or federation should set separate goal. No game should be left out. However, we will not be able to go very far unless we figure out the games that have the best chance of success, the games that we have the potential to succeed in the international arena, and the games that we can do well at the regional level.

A few games in our country have now reached quite a good position. However, there are 7-8 more potential disciplines. If you look at all the 45 to 50 federations with one eye, the game will never improve. There is no substitute for long-term training. And it is not possible to include so many federations in giving such training, because we do not have that amount of financial well-being.

There is no shortcut in sports. It is long term. Those who have been arranging training for a long time are improving. Those who can't, can't improve. Therefore, all the sports that have potential should be separated to look after separately. Talented athletes can be benefited if the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Sports jointly divide the level through a plan.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave such an instruction during the Bangladesh Games. She told to separate the discipline. If her instructions are followed, we will be able to do well in a number of disciplines quickly, In Sha Allah. 

Q: Do you have any new plans for the development of gymnastics?

A: I have been the President of the Gymnastics Federation for almost a decade. I also devised various plans, finally realizing that if I can't make players with youngsters, then at some point they will get lost down the memory lane. At first I wanted to do it from the upper level, which was the wrong decision. Learning from there, I am now going to bring in a very good quality coach, of whom I have not yet revealed. He has taken Korean gymnastics to the world level. His plan was initially rejected by the Korean government. As a result, he resigned. After 5 years, the government of the country called him and gave him the responsibility. As a result, Korea are now winning medals in various international competitions, starting from the World Championships to the Olympics. I have planned to bring that veteran and experienced coach to Bangladesh.

I had a discussion with him. If we can continue coaching for one and a half to two years as per his instructions, then we will be able to bring results to the team in the big events of the subcontinent. This is his (coach) last plan. He wants to retire after serving Bangladesh. He wants to keep his reputation intact by bringing Bangladeshi gymnastics to a unique place. I also plan to execute his instructions. I will inform the media about him soon.

Q: Where do you want to see gymnastics in Bangladesh?

A: I always try to keep a slogan of Quantum Foundation in mind. That is the dream to win an Olympic medal. Their slogan is ‘I want an Olympic medal.’ Through gymnastics I want to give Bangladesh the first Olympic medal. This is my dream, this is my plan. 

Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Mamun has been successfully serving the president of Gymnastics Federation since 2008. He has been the vice president of Bangladesh Olympic Association since 2013. In 2011, the Sultana Kamal Central-South Asian Gymnastics Competition was organized by his initiative. This was the first international gymnastics event held in Bangladesh.

US Born Bangladeshi gymnast Syque Caesar won the gold medal in this competition by showing outstanding telent. Then last year, in 2021, Bangabandhu International Gymnastics Competition was held in Dhaka. Although Bangladesh did not achieve any gold medal in that competition, but finished third in the tournament. The main attraction of this competition was Margarita Mamun, a Russian-born Bangladeshi gymnast who has won a medal at the Olympic Games as a Russian gymnast. Margarita Mamun was brought in Bangladesh by a solo effort of Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Mamun.

Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Mamun was the chef de mission of the Bangladesh sports team at the 2014 Inchon Asian Games and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In addition, he was given a special honor on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Asian Gymnastics in Inchon in 2014 for his special contribution in gymnastics. He received the special sponsor award for successfully organizing the Youth Games held in Bangladesh in 2018.

The magnitude of the Games and its model have been particularly praised by the International Olympic Committee. Successful athletes of the Youth Games are currently showing success in various competitions at home and abroad.

In 2019, under his personal patronage, Bangladeshi gymnasts won 14 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals in the age-level and junior division in Singapore Open Gymnastics. In the same year, Bangladesh won two gold medals at the International Hungarian Junior Championship held in Hungary.