BWF fracas mars lifters’ golden run in Qatar

The gold-winning performances of two Bangladeshi female weightlifters at the 4th Qatar Invitational International have evoked different reactions from the president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Weightlifting Federation (BWF). The two lifters, Mabia Akhter Simanta and Jahura Akhter Reshma, have won gold medals in their respective categories at the event. While BWF president Manzur Qader Quraishi expressed happiness over the news, the general secretary, Moqbul Ahmed Khan, struck a sour note by claiming that the Bangladeshi weightlifters did not have permission to attend the competition in Qatar.
“I am really very happy and feel proud that Mabia and Jahura had such great success in Qatar. They have brought success for the country,” Quraishi told The Independent over phone from Netrokona. Striking a contrary note, Moqbul said, “BWF doesn’t know about the competition in Qatar or the participation of our weightlifters there. They went there without any permission.” Claiming ignorance of the international meet in Qatar, he said, “As far as I know, it’s their national competition.”
The BWF general secretary went as far as to brand the participation of Bangladeshi weightlifters at the competition illegal. “Our lifters went there with the help of former general secretary of the federation, Wing Commander (retd) Mohiuddin Ahmed. Mohiuddin is the man behind such illegal activities and he has been doing so for a long time,” he added.
Moqbul stated that the government had dissolved the previous BWF committee after the end of its tenure and a new (ad hoc) committee was formed on November 9 with Manzur Qader Quraishi as president and Lt. Col. (retd) Shaidul Islam as its general secretary. But Shahidul Islam had resigned after a few days citing physical weakness, and Moqbul replaced him on November 28.
Notwithstanding the fracas, weightlifting fans and former lifters are all praise for Mabia and Jahura and congratulated them for winning laurels for the country.
Former leading weightlifter Bidyut Kumar criticised the BWF committee for this uncalled-for controversy. “Mabia and Jahura did an excellent job and made the country proud,” said Bidyut, who won the national title 26 times. Talking to The Independent yesterday, Bidyut Kumar said most of the members of the present BWF committee, including the general secretary, are not at all competent for the development of weightlifting. “In fact, they are good for nothing,” the Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner added.

BWF fracas mars lifters golden run in Qatar

The gold-winning performances of two Bangladeshi female weightlifters at the 4th Qatar Invitational International have evoked different reactions from the president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Weightlifting Federation (BWF). The two lifters, Mabia Akhter Simanta and Jahura Akhter Reshma, have won gold medals in their respective categories at the event. While BWF president Manzur Qader Quraishi expressed happiness over the news, the general secretary, Moqbul Ahmed Khan, struck a sour note by claiming that the Bangladeshi weightlifters did not have permission to attend the competition in Qatar. I am really very happy and feel proud that Mabia and Jahura had such great success in Qatar. They have brought success for the country, Quraishi told The Independent over phone from Netrokona. Striking a contrary note, Moqbul said, BWF doesnt know about the competition in Qatar or the participation of our weightlifters there. They went there without any permission. Claiming ignorance of the international meet in Qatar, he said, As far as I know, its their national competition. The BWF general secretary went as far as to brand the participation of Bangladeshi weightlifters at the competition illegal. Our lifters went there with the help of former general secretary of the federation, Wing Commander (retd) Mohiuddin Ahmed. Mohiuddin is the man behind such illegal activities and he has been doing so for a long time, he added. Moqbul stated that the government had dissolved the previous BWF committee after the end of its tenure and a new (ad hoc) committee was formed on November 9 with Manzur Qader Quraishi as president and Lt. Col. (retd) Shaidul Islam as its general secretary. But Shahidul Islam had resigned after a few days citing physical weakness, and Moqbul replaced him on November 28. Notwithstanding the fracas, weightlifting fans and former lifters are all praise for Mabia and Jahura and congratulated them for winning laurels for the country. Former leading weightlifter Bidyut Kumar criticised the BWF committee for this uncalled-for controversy. Mabia and Jahura did an excellent job and made the country proud, said Bidyut, who won the national title 26 times. Talking to The Independent yesterday, Bidyut Kumar said most of the members of the present BWF committee, including the general secretary, are not at all competent for the development of weightlifting. In fact, they are good for nothing, the Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner added.