While political and security concerns have delayed the Indian cricket team’s tour of Bangladesh, they have not prevented Indian athletes from participating in other sporting events in the country. A total of 41 Indian players are set to compete in the 36th Bangladesh World Tennis Tour Juniors J30 in Dhaka, the largest contingent from any of the 17 participating countries.
The junior tournament will be held at the National Tennis Complex in Ramna from October 11 to 17. The qualifying rounds begin on October 11, while the main draw gets underway on October 13. A press conference was held on Saturday to provide details of the competition.
According to the withdrawal deadline entries, a total of 109 players from 17 countries are set to participate, including 80 boys and 29 girls. The entries comprise 44 players in the main draw, 32 in the qualifying rounds and 33 alternates.
India will field the largest contingent, with 41 players. Of them, 12 have entered the main draw—eight boys and four girls—while 17 will compete in the qualifying rounds, including 12 boys and five girls. Another 12 Indian players are listed as alternates. Several additional members of the Indian coaching staff are also expected to accompany the team.
No Security Concerns Raised by India
Bangladesh Tennis Federation General Secretary Ishteaq Ahmed Karen said India had raised no security concerns regarding participation in the tournament, despite the Indian cricket team’s decision not to tour Bangladesh amid security-related issues. He added that no such concerns had been communicated by the Indian side.
“India has not raised any concerns about security. Many of their players are already competing in Rajshahi. I also visited there, and they did not raise any security issues,” Karen said.
He added that the federation had coordinated with the relevant authorities to ensure security for the participants.
“We have spoken to the authorities to ensure all necessary security arrangements. We have also held discussions with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. For the convenience of the players, permission has been secured for them to practise at the courts of Dhaka Club as well. We hope the tournament will be held smoothly,” he said.
Sporting Ties Continue Despite Cricket Tensions
Cricketing relations between Bangladesh and India have yet to return to normal following Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for the World Cup over security concerns. India’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh in September this year was also postponed amid the same concerns.
The two countries’ cricket boards are now discussing whether the postponed series can be rescheduled for January next year.
Against this backdrop, the arrival of a 41-player Indian tennis contingent is being viewed by those involved as a positive development for sporting ties between the two countries.
Besides India, the tournament will feature 14 players from hosts Bangladesh, 18 from China, seven from Thailand, five from South Korea, four each from Hong Kong and Japan, three each from Chinese Taipei and Singapore, two each from Nepal and the United States, and one each from Australia, Germany, the Maldives, Russia, Sri Lanka and Türkiye.
