Bangladeshi Students Triumph at US University Sports Meet, Win Four Gold Medals
Bangladeshi students have achieved remarkable success at the annual sports competition held at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) in the United States. At this meet, called ‘Fall-2026’, they won medals in cricket, badminton, chess and table tennis, achieving the greatest success as a single team.
The three-day competition was held from 9 to 11 October at the university’s Student Recreation Center. International students from various countries and regions of the world, including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Latin America and Africa, took part in it. In this gathering of students from many countries, the Bangladeshi team’s performance was eye-catching.
In cricket, the Bangladeshi students’ team defeated the Sri Lankan students’ team in the final to win the gold medal. Those involved believe this cricket victory raised the team’s confidence and had an impact on the other events as well.
Even greater success came in badminton. Bangladeshi students won all three medals in this event — gold, silver and bronze. In other words, the entire badminton podium was occupied by Bangladeshis, which was a surprise to the other teams taking part in the meet.
In addition, Bangladeshi students also won gold medals in chess and table tennis. Finishing on top in two very different kinds of events — chess, a game of intellect, and table tennis, a game of speed — reflects the team’s overall preparation.
In all, the Bangladeshi students won four gold medals, one silver and one bronze. This is the highest achievement by any single team in the medal table. As a result, they established themselves as the most successful team at this year’s meet.
Such success in sports alongside higher education on foreign soil is undoubtedly a matter of pride. This achievement has once again highlighted the talent, skill and team effort of Bangladeshi students in the university arena.
Bangladesh team captain and the university’s PhD student Taminul Islam Rafi said, ‘Here we are all PhD or master’s students. Everyone has the pressure of studies and research. Even so, we have been able to focus on sports. This achievement on foreign soil makes us proud as Bangladeshis.’
He also said their effort will be to maintain this streak of success in the coming days as well. He believes that keeping up regular practice amid the pressure of studies is the key to this continuity.
Nehal Ahmed Mazumder, president of the university’s Bangladesh Student Association, said such success in the international arena is undoubtedly a chapter of pride for Bangladesh. He also said the Bangladesh Student Association will continue to provide all kinds of encouragement and all-out cooperation at all times.
Such an achievement will remain a source of inspiration for students who go abroad to study. Now the thing to see is how far the Bangladeshi students of SIUC can maintain this streak of success in the coming meets.
