'Fed must take responsibility'

Golam Ambia was once a household name in athletics for his supreme dominance in 100m sprint, having created a national record in 1991 by clocking 10.54 seconds (hand-time). The 54-year-old former athlete, who was the fastest man of the country from 1991 to 1996, watched from the judges' panel as Mohammad Ismail broke his 27-year-old record at the Walton National Athletic Championships on Thursday, clocking 10.20 seconds. The former army man spoke to The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday about the past and present state of athletics. The excerpts of the interview:

The Daily Star (TDS): What are you doing now after retiring from your job and athletics?

Golam Ambia (GA): Since my retirement from Bangladesh Army in 2011, I have been looking after my agricultural farms in Madanganj of Netrokona district. I came here to perform as a judge after a five-year gap. 

DS: How did it feel when Mohammad Ismail broke your 27-year-old record in front of you?

GA: To be honest, I am not very satisfied (with his record) because the way the timing was recorded was not the standard way. During our time, the clock (hand time) started when smoke was seen from the barrel rather than  the gunshot was heard fraction of a second later. But the time is now counted with the sound of wooden block or gunshot, handing today's athletes an advantage. Still, I welcomed Ismail to break my record as I want to see new sprinters on the horizon and it would be fantastic if he can bring laurels to the country from the South Asian (SA) Games.

DS: How was it that your record was sustained for so long?

GA: I think there are many reasons behind it-- a lack of proper training, shortage of talented athletes and the new generation's lack of interest in athletics. I think federation officials must take the responsibility.

DS: What's your take on how athletics differs now from then?

GA: That time, the galleries were full of spectators but today, there is not a single spectator. We had to take part in heats, semifinals and finals. There were eight to nine heats for a single event following the huge turn-up of athletes from across the country but now-a-days there are many events which are completed directly through the final.

DS: How can the past glory of athletics be revived?

GA: The federation must arrange training for athletes and make sure they utilize the available quality coaches rather than only trying to stay in power to make financial gains. The lack of initiatives from the District Sports Associations (DSAs) is also another reason behind the sordid state of athletics.

DS:  Bangladesh have not secured a gold medal in any regional games since Mahabub Alam won the 200m gold in the 1995 SA Games in Madras. Why has the country failed to produce gold-winning athletes for so long?

GA: Things have been changed a lot, so the federation has to invest more to produce quality athletes in the country. See, in our time we had met our own daily expenses but these days athletes need a minimum Tk 600 to Tk 700 per day to meet all their daily needs and this is not possible for many athletes. The athletes also have to take the responsibility of resting properly by keeping away from different engagements such as the internet, hanging out, negative thinking etc. The athletes must keep their targets clear and keep cool to work hard and achieve their targets. The federation and the government must come forward with proper planning to produce quality athletes so that we can overcome the drought of gold medal winning athletes at international events.

DS: Do you have any regrets about not winning a gold medal in the South Asian Games?

GA: No, I don't have any regrets, rather I am very happy to be Golam Ambia of athletics. No one could know me had I not come in athletics. It is my pleasure that I get honoured everywhere. People hug me, people shake hands with me and give Salam to me. It has been possible because of athletics.