DHAKA- Bangladesh archery team comprising Ruman Sana and Diya Siddique won silver medal in the recurve mixed team event of Archery World Cup stage-2 after losing to second-ranked Netherlands by 5-1 set points in the gold final match held Sunday in Lausanne, Switzerland.
It was a great opportunity for Ruman Sana and Diya Siddique pair to become World champions by winning the coveted gold medal for the first time in World Cup staged. The duo may had even imagined to stand on the award stage by hanging gold medal on their neck, but they had to content with a silver medal after losing the match in the final.
Bangladesh, which ranked in the 17th position, could not fight with the Netherlands for a long as Ruman and Diya pair lost 36-30 in the first set. The second set tied 35-35 but the indication of Bangladesh’s archers returning to the match did not last long as the Dutch won the gold medal by winning the third set 37-34.
Ruman Sana in his immediate reaction after the match said: “Alhamdulillah thanks to Almighty Allah we have created history by reaching to the final of the World Cup and won the silver medal. I also express my heartfelt gratitude to our main sponsor City Group for who’s support we have able to come so far. I would also like to thank Bangladesh Olympic Association, all officials of Bangladesh Archery Federation, coach all officials of Ansar, my teammates and especially State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Zahid Ahsan Russell MP.”
Diya Siddique said: “Thanked to all for supporting us …. indeed it needs more experience in this stage … as a new I have little experience … Alhamdulillah by the kind of Allah I have tried my best and did it … I am grateful to our main sponsor City Group and officials of the federation.
Earlier, Bangladesh beat 16th-ranked Iran by 5-3 set in the first round and upset top-ranked Germany 5-1 in the second round.
In the quarterfinal, Bangladesh defeated Spain by 5-4 set points to reach to the semifinal and finally confirmed their spot of final for the first time defeating Canada by 5-3 set points in the semifinal.BSS
