Bangladesh approved its shooting contingent’s travel to New Delhi for the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championships, just days after refusing to send its cricket team to India for the T20 World Cup 2026.
The decision has reignited debate over Dhaka’s inconsistent security narrative.
The championships will take place at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range from February 2 to 14, with over 300 shooters from 17 countries competing. Bangladesh will send a small team, including two rifle shooters in individual and mixed events. Officials justified the clearance by citing the controlled nature of the competition, its indoor venue, and the limited size of the contingent.
A senior ministry official explained that the event will be held indoors within a protected area, eliminating major security concerns. The National Rifle Association of India confirmed Bangladesh’s participation, noting that visa formalities were already underway after clearance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
The contrast with cricket remains stark. Bangladesh withdrew from the T20 World Cup after the ICC rejected its request to shift matches from Kolkata and Mumbai to Sri Lanka. The ICC maintained that no verifiable threat existed and that venue changes would disrupt logistics. Bangladesh’s exit led to Scotland replacing them in the tournament.
Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul reportedly consulted the Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation before approving the shooting team’s travel. Officials argued that risks tied to large cricket contingents, open stadiums, and multi‑city travel differ fundamentally from a small indoor shooting event.
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