Bangladesh Table Tennis achieved the silver medal in the South Asian Table Tennis Championship last year which the team never achieved before. 

A Bengali coach was the unsung hero in the achievement. Before the forthcoming South Asian Table Tennis Championship, to be held in Sri Lanka from 26th to 29th May, the Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation (BTTF) is again relying on Angshuman Bhattacharjee to earn more medals in the competition. 

This will be Angshuman’s third stint as the chief coach of the Bangladesh national team in the South Asian TT. The team earned nine medals including the silver last year. 

The 16-member team consisting of eight under-15 girls and eight under-19 boys will be participating in the team events, singles and doubles events.

Angshuman, the coach of India’s number one youth paddler, Ankur Bhattacharjee is also expecting a better show from the Bangladesh national team in the South Asian TT. 

"The most important feature in Bangladesh team is the players' sincerity. Both boys and girls are serious, hard-working, and tenacious. They always tend to perform. Two of the men's team especially Ramhim Liam and Ahmed Ridoy were excellent in the South Asian TT last year. Both reached the semi-finals. They are expected to deliver a better show this year," commented Bhattacharjee.

The chief coach also expressed satisfaction about the Bangladesh girls revealing, "Playing in the South Asian TT for the first time two of their national girls' teams Khai Khai, Shikma and Ashma Khatun had impressive show in the competition, upsetting a few seeded paddlers.”

Bhattacharjee feels both boys and girls can improve more if they are guided by a professional and experienced coach throughout the year. "The infrastructure is excellent. They only need long-term training and an experienced and professional coach." 

Meanwhile, Ankur Bhattacharya and Anwesha Das, both clinched a double-crown in the Gouri Rani Sen and Shyamali Sen Memorial Table Tennis Championships. The tournament was organized by South 24 Parganas District Table Tennis Association at Harinavi Sporting Club on 18th and 19th May.