Selim Hossain, one of Bangladesh's most decorated and promising boxers, holds an optimistic view for the future of the sport in the nation, provided it receives adequate patronage and support. The 33-year-old, a proud member of the Bangladesh Army who has represented the national boxing team since 2010, believes that with proper guidance and facilities, Bangladeshi boxers can achieve significant international glory.
Born into a middle-class family in Rajshahi in 1992, Selim's passion for sports blossomed at an early age. Despite initial family opposition, he pursued boxing, inspired by his uncle. His dedication paid off, leading to numerous national medals, including gold, and opportunities to represent Bangladesh on the international stage. In recognition of his contributions, Selim was named the Best Sportsman of the Year by the Bangladesh Sports Press Association in 2023. He hopes that, one day, boxers will command the same level of respect and recognition as cricketers and footballers in the country.
In an exclusive interview with BSS, Selim articulated his vision: "Bangladesh has many talented boxers with great potential. What they need is proper guidance, facilities, and logistics support.
If we nurture them well, they can bring international glory to the country."
Recalling his path to the national team, Selim explained: "I started boxing at an early age and got a job with the Bangladesh Army in 2010 because of my performance. I trained regularly and improved myself day by day. In our local area, I used to join boxing camps with senior brothers from the Army, and that really developed my skills. Later, I won a gold medal in the Bangladesh Games. Based on my performance, the federation selected me for the national team."
Discussing his international experiences, Selim noted the challenges faced by Bangladeshi athletes: "In Bangladesh, athletes usually get noticed after producing results, but reaching that level takes time. When I performed well nationally, the Army gave me a chance to compete internationally." He detailed his participation in several high-profile events: "I participated in the World Military Championship 2021 in Russia, where I lost to a Brazilian opponent despite a good fight. Then I went to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England, where I narrowly lost to an Indian rival."
His most significant international performance came in 2023 at the 19th Asian Games in China. "I reached the quarterfinals of the men's 57kg category and lost to Japan's Shudai Harada.
It was a close match; if I had won, I would have secured at least a bronze medal – ending a 37-year individual medal drought for Bangladesh in the Asian Games," he lamented, highlighting the near miss. Selim also revealed a missed Olympic opportunity: "I was also offered a wild card entry to the Olympics, but I couldn't participate because I was abroad on a UN mission."
Domestically, Selim has a strong record: "I won gold in the 9th Bangladesh Games in 2021 and in the 37th senior Boxing Championship in 2022." However, he expressed concern over the lack of recent activity: "Unfortunately, the federation hasn't organized any national competitions since then."
When asked about his choice of boxing, Selim's response was pragmatic: "Coming from a middle-class family, I had responsibilities. Cricket and football are expensive and time-consuming sports. My goal was to represent the country in boxing and earn recognition as an athlete, which would help me secure a government job. That's why I chose boxing."
Looking ahead, Selim harbours significant dreams, though he stresses the need for support. "I have many dreams, but to fulfill them, I need support. We have a good chance to win a medal in the upcoming South Asian Games, especially as India might not participate. If a few preparatory tournaments are held and we get a 3-4 month training camp abroad, I believe we can achieve something great in the SA Games." His words serve as a clear call to action for the authorities to invest in the sport's potential.
