Bangladesh can develop a great rowing team, says experts

Bangladesh has great potential in rowing but has done very little to develop the sport so far, says Chandan Roy Choudhury, secretary of the Calcutta Rowing Club.

Formed in 1858, the Calcutta Rowing Club is Asia's oldest and only two years younger to the London Rowing Club formed in 1856.

Roy Choudhury said his club is willing to donate four latest rowing boats to the Bangladesh Rowuing Federation and provide coaches to develop the sport in the country.

"Bangladesh is a country of huge water bodies and rivers and people row all the time. We surely have much natural talent there and I wish it is developed," Roy Choudhury told bdnews24.com in an interview.

He said his club has been in touch with the Bangladesh Rowing Federation for a while.

"Letters have gone back and forth since Oct 2016, my boats are ready for delivery, I am willing to deliver them at the Benapole border," he said.

"I hope this is finalised soon and we can send the boats and coaches."

Roy Choudhury said If Bangladesh can do so well in cricket, it can surely do great in swimming and rowing.

"We surely have much natural talent in these sports because of the environment. All we need is solid patronage."

Roy Choudhury said while commercial sponsors abound in sports like cricket, the government needs to promote other sports.

"You dont win an Olympic medal with a cricket team. Bangladesh needs to develop sports like rowing to win a Olympic Medal," he said.

Roy Choudhury said defence services like the navy and the coast guards can promote rowing.