A TWO-MEMBER Bangladesh shooting contingent has received government approval (GO) to travel to India for the Asian Shooting Championships, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 2 to 14 February.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, the clearance was granted at the eleventh hour following extended deliberations over the country’s participation. The delay came amid heightened sensitivities after the Interim Government had earlier declined to send the national cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing security concerns, a decision that eventually led to Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland in the tournament.
Responding to questions over the differing approaches, Bangladesh Youth and Sports Secretary Mahbub-Ul-Alam said the government was “treating the two matters as separate cases”, adding that assurances from the host nation had confirmed there were no security risks for the shooting team.
Meanwhile, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) joint secretary Pawan Singh told News18 Sports that neither the Bangladesh federation nor the government had sought any additional security assurances beyond standard procedures.
“We have very strict protocols. I don’t think they needed anything additional. They did not ask. They know that the NRAI has very strict protocols,” he said.
