Commonwealth Karate Championship moved from Dhaka to South Africa
The prestigious tournament, expected to feature participants from 40 countries, had to be shifted following the country's turbulent political situation.
The Commonwealth Karate Championship, initially scheduled to begin in Dhaka on 25 September, has been relocated to Durban, South Africa, due to the political unrest in Bangladesh.
Nayna Chowdhury, the acting general secretary of the Karate Federation, confirmed the move, stating, "The tournament was relocated from Bangladesh in late July due to the escalating political tension in the country."
The unrest began in mid-July, when student protests against the government's quota system turned violent, leading to widespread anti-government demonstrations. Hundreds of students and civilians lost their lives in clashes with law enforcement, and a curfew was imposed. The situation intensified towards the end of July, culminating in the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on 5 august.
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This is not the first major sporting event to be affected by the political upheaval. Earlier, the women's T20 World Cup, initially set to take place in Bangladesh in October, was moved to the UAE. Similarly, New Zealand 'A' cancelled their scheduled tour of Bangladesh on 22 august due to the unstable environment.
Chowdhury also highlighted the financial strain caused by the relocation, which has made Bangladesh's participation in the event challenging. "We had made some investments in preparation for the tournament in September," she said. "Expenses were made on new mats for the Mirpur Indoor Stadium, among other areas. Had the tournament gone ahead here, we could have recovered those costs, but now, with the event moving to South Africa, we are facing significant losses. The travel expenses alone are considerable."
Adding to the turmoil within the federation, Karate Federation's general secretary, Kyaw Swe Hla, resigned from his position amidst the shifting political landscape. Chowdhury noted, "He submitted his resignation a few days ago, and the federation accepted it at a meeting the day before yesterday."
Bangladesh had previously enjoyed success in the karate scene, winning three gold medals at the 2019 South Asian Games held in Kathmandu. However, the federation now faces an uphill battle, both financially and organisationally, as they decide on the country's participation in the rescheduled event.
The relocation of the Commonwealth Karate Championship adds to the growing list of sporting disruptions caused by the country's political instability, leaving Bangladesh's sports sector grappling with uncertainty.
