The Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games have become an important step for Team Bangladesh as the country builds its future in Para sport making its debut at these Games. With young athletes on the international stage and a clear long-term vision, the South Asian nation is looking ahead with hope, planning, and determination.
For the team, the Asian Youth Para Games are not just about competition – they are the first step towards bigger goals. The Bangladesh National Paralympic Committee (NPCB) sees these Games as preparation for the Asian Para Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and, most importantly, the LA28 Paralympic Games.
Over the last four to five months, the current committee has been working hard to strengthen Para sport in the country. Athletes were selected through national championships held in October, where more than 500 para athletes will be competing across seven disciplines, including badminton, swimming, athletics, and archery.
This year also marks an important milestone: Bangladesh’s first-ever participation at the Asian Para level. Previously, in 2021, only two athletes competed internationally in Para badminton. In Bahrain, Bangladesh participated only as observers. Dubai 2025 AYPG is the country’s first full official participation.
Training, Growth, and International Support
For the first time, Bangladesh organized a one-and-a-half-month training camp for young Para athletes before the Games. This marks a major improvement in athlete preparation. The committee is now focused on developing young athletes into elite performers, with LA28 as the ultimate target.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has also started supporting Para sports with funding — a major step forward. Bangladesh is working to build relationships with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), while also forming strong regional cooperation through the South Asian Sports Federation.
Plans are in place to organize joint training programs, classification workshops, and to send Bangladeshi coaches to countries like India, which has strong Para sport systems. The goal is to improve coaching quality and long-term athlete development.
“For the first time, we organised a one-and-a-half-month national training camp in Bangladesh to prepare our athletes for the Asian Youth Para Games. This committee is committed to building a strong future for Para sport and the Paralympic pathway. Previously, we had only one archer competing internationally, but this time we are proud to have three. In the next one to two years, we believe they can achieve strong results on the road to LA 2028.
“Our first target is the Asian Para Games, and our ultimate dream is LA28 – and we are training our athletes to become champions,” Ahmed Maruf, secretary general of Bangladesh Paralympic Committee.
Md Shihab Kazi: A Dream Beyond Limits
Among Bangladesh’s promising athletes is Md Shihab Kazi, an 18-year-old Para badminton player competing in the SL3 category. Dubai 2025 is Shihab’s first international tournament. He is already a national bronze medalist and has been playing badminton for five years.
“Badminton has changed my life,” Shihab said. “It has made me more focused and disciplined. One day, I want to be world number one in para badminton.”
Inspired by Chinese Al England Championship star Li Shifeng, Shihab trains with passion despite many challenges. Coming from a family of five siblings, he explained that while his family supports him, they worry about the lack of career opportunities in Para sports in Bangladesh.
“There are no proper facilities for para badminton, and it’s very hard to find sponsors,” he said. Still, Shihab remains hopeful. “One day I want to become a businessman, so I can support the sport and help other athletes.”
Shihab is theonly Bangladeshi Para badminton athlete competing at the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games , carrying the dreams of many future players.
Looking ahead with hope
Bangladesh’s goals are clear: compete strongly at the Asian Para Games, and aim even higher for LA 2028, with dreams of winning medals — even gold. With 51 core athletes identified for future development and 13 competing in Dubai, the foundation is being laid today.
From young flag bearers like Davis to determined competitors like Md Shihab Kazi, Bangladesh’s journey in Para sport is just beginning — powered by ambition, hard work, and belief in a brighter future.
