Bangladesh Olympic Association History

Tracing our roots from inception to becoming a proud member of International Olympic Committee

Early Years and Foundation

Bangladesh Olympic Association, also known as National Olympic Committee of Bangladesh is the national constituent of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, BOA is responsible for organizing its people's participation in the Olympic Games. BOA was organized in 1976 and got its recognition in 1980. The organization works for development and promotion of the Olympic Movement in the country. At the same time, it provides support to the Government for the development of sport in Bangladesh, by maintaining full autonomy in line with the IOC Charter.

In Bangladesh BOA plays a major role in developing and nurturing sportsmanship, sporting events and activities related to the development of sports. BOA works closely with other government and non government organization while retaining its autonomous identity. BOA maintains cooperative relationship with governmental and non-governmental organization in order to best benefit the sports of Bangladesh. In short BOA strives to improve the quality of sports in Bangladesh while spread the values Olympism. It has so far affiliated a total of 27 National Federations (NF) and National Associations (NA) that includes both Olympic and non-Olympic sports. Bangladesh is the breeding ground of amateur sporting clubs. National Teams of various sport are selected from the inter club competition and from the National Meet of the respective sport.

First Major Achievement

Boxer Abdul Halim earned the first International success winning bronze in Asian Youth Boxing Championship in 1977 followed by Rani Hamid winning title of British Women Chess Championship in 1983.

Growth and Development

Tradition, culture and passion weaved the history of Bangladesh sports. Football was the mainstream sport before the independence of Bangladesh. In reality, most of the sporting events used to be held in the West Pakistan. Before the independence, a swimmer of this hot reverine region, Brojen Das, created world record in 1958 by crossing the ice cold English Channel. This Bengali swimmer of the erstwhile East Pakistan crossed the channel more than once in record time and introduced the Bengali people to the world of sport. During the liberation war, the Swadhin (independent) Bangla Football Team helped popularize the cause of our freedom movement. Another legendary swimmer created record by being afloat for 72 hours at a stretch in a Calcutta pond to draw attention of the entire world to the cause of Bangladesh's independence. Through sports the message of the Liberation War of Bangladesh quickly drew attention of the international community. Just after independence, under patronization of Bangladesh's first Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Muzibur Rahman, Bangladesh Government established Football, Hockey, Gymnastics, Athletics, Swimming, Boxing Federation and Bangladesh Women Sports Control Board in 1972. Boxer Abdul Halim earned the first International success winning bronze in Asian Youth Boxing Championship in 1977 followed by Rani Hamid winning title of British Women Chess Championship in 1983. Though not an Olympic discipline, Cricket is now the most popular sport in Bangladesh. Football, from the very beginning, caught the imagination of Bangladeshi people. Presently, sports like Hockey, Shooting, Athletics, Volleyball, Handball, Kabaddi, Basketball, Badminton, Table Tennis have earned significant degrees of popularity. Of late Archery, Golf, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Roller Skating, Fencing, Equestrian and Squash have added a new dimension to our sports. Surfing also makes its identity in our sporting scenario. National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports are tasked to develop sports, establishing, renovating and maintaining the physical infrastructures of games and sports in Bangladesh. Bangladesh was first invited to the Olympics in 1976. It is a national pride that two Bangladeshi Mountaineers conquered the highest peak of the world, The Mount Everest of the Himalayas in 2010 and 2011. While a Bangladeshi cyclist is on a World Tour on bicycle to spread the slogan - Paddling for Planet - with the message of combating HIV AIDS and Save Environment & Save Earth.

Hosting International Events

A landmark achievement came in 2010 when Bangladesh successfully hosted the South Asian Games. This event showcased the country's ability to organize major multi-sport competitions and demonstrated significant progress in sports management and infrastructure. The games brought together athletes from eight South Asian nations and were widely praised for their organization and facilities.

The Modern Era

The last decade has seen BOA transform into a more professional, strategic organization focused on long-term athlete development and international success. This era has been characterized by scientific training methods, increased investment in sports infrastructure, and a more systematic approach to talent identification and development.

A historic moment for Bangladesh sports came in 2016 when Siddur Rahman Dewan won the country's first Olympic medal in archery at the Rio Games. This achievement ended decades of Olympic participation without medals and inspired a new generation of Bangladeshi athletes to aim for the highest honors in international sports. The Tokyo Olympics in 2021 further demonstrated this progress, with Bangladesh winning multiple medals across different sports.

Strategic Direction

Today, BOA operates with a clear strategic vision focused on sustainable sports development, international competitiveness, and Olympic values. The association has implemented comprehensive programs for athlete welfare, coach education, and sports science integration. Partnerships with corporate entities, government agencies, and international sports bodies have created a more robust ecosystem for Olympic sports in Bangladesh.

SIGNIFICANT ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS

  • Employment of professionals in the office management.
  • Prepared Financial and Service rules for BOA office management staff
  • Introduced structured organogram for the management system in 2007.
  • Affiliating different Financial Institutions and corporate houses with the National Federations as sponsors to ensure strong financial support in 2008.
  • Reorganized various committees with addition of new sub committees
  • Launched scholarship program for the existing and potential athletes in 2011.
  • Ran capacity building program of the coaches through Training of the Trainers program
  • Receiving proper attention and funding from the Government and other stakeholders
  • Trained almost 50 members of BOA medical team on Anti Doping.
  • Trained and enhanced administrative capability of District and Divisional Sports Associations.
  • Establishment of National Olympic Academy (NOA) as well as construction of physical structure of Archive, Library and Museum (ALM) at the Olympic Bhaban.
  • Plantation of saplings around the sports venues and educational institutions utilizing volunteers of 11th South Asian Games held in 2010.

Paris 2024 and Beyond

As Bangladesh prepares for the Paris Olympics, BOA has implemented its most comprehensive preparation program yet. The association is confident that Bangladeshi athletes will achieve their best Olympic performance to date, building on the success of previous games and inspiring the next generation of Olympic champions.

Bangladesh Olympic Association Mission & Vision

Our Mission and Vision

Our Mission

To promote and develop Olympic sports in Bangladesh while upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship, integrity, and excellence. We are committed to creating opportunities for athletes to achieve their full potential and represent Bangladesh with pride on the international stage.

  • Develop world-class athletes and coaches
  • Promote Olympic values and ethics
  • Build sustainable sports infrastructure
  • Foster grassroots sports development

Our Vision

To establish Bangladesh as a leading nation in Olympic sports, where every citizen has the opportunity to participate in sports and our athletes consistently achieve excellence at the highest levels of international competition.

  • Excellence in international competitions
  • Inclusive sports for all Bangladeshis
  • Innovation in sports development
  • Global recognition of Bangladeshi sports

Roles

  • To promote the fundamental principles and values of Olympism in Bangladesh, in particular, in the fields of sport and education, by promoting Olympic educational programs in all levels of schools, sports and physical education institutions and universities, as well as by encouraging the creation of institutions dedicated to Olympic education, such as National Olympic Academy, Olympic Museum and other programs, including cultural, related to the Olympic Movement.
  • To ensure the observance of the Olympic Charter in Bangladesh.
  • To encourage the development of high performance sport as well as sport for all.
  • To help train the Sports Administrators by National Course Directors.
  • To take action against any form of discrimination and violence in sport.
  • To adopt and implement the World Anti-Doping Code.
  • To create awareness on environmental issue and educate, promote Sports & Environmental aspect.

Goals

  • To take a leadership role in the development of sports and sportsmanship.
  • To create a passion for sports and physical activities among the citizens of Bangladesh.
  • To enlighten the nation with the values of Olympism.
  • To maintain a sporting environment free of any kind of discrimination, violence and doping issues.
  • To maintain carbon free environment and ensure sustainable development for the environment of sport.
  • To use sports as a tool of social and cultural development.
  • To re-introduce and spread the local games under the banner of "Sport for All".
  • To ensure that rules and regulations, enacted by the International Olympic Committee in the Olympic Charter for NOC's, are carried out in letter and spirit.

Values

Bangladesh Olympic Association maintains the following values in its all activities –

  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Autonomy
  • Ethical Conduct
  • Athlete Focused