Sports Desk:

The Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation has appointed 25-year-old Thai national Pattaratorn Passara as the head coach of the national team, marking a new chapter in the sport’s development in the country.

Passara, despite his young age, comes with notable international experience. He was ranked 314 in the ITTF world rankings as recently as April 2022 and won a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Championship as part of Thailand’s men’s team. He also secured gold and silver medals at the 2024 Ching Mi Circuit Kings Cup.

The federation signed a two-month initial contract with Passara on Sunday. If his performance proves satisfactory, the deal may be extended further. His arrival comes at a crucial time, with Bangladesh preparing for three major upcoming events: the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain this October, the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia in November, and the South Asian Games in Pakistan in January.

Passara will be coaching a group that includes vastly experienced players, such as six-time national champion Mahbub, nearing the age of 50, and top female player Sonam Sultana Soma, whose career spans two decades. Addressing the notable age gap between the coach and players, BTTF General Secretary Captain A.M. Maksud Ahmed (Sonet) said, “We originally aimed for a Chinese coach, but due to budget and language limitations, we had to look elsewhere. We received strong recommendations for Passara from international circles, including Indian officials. Age shouldn’t be a factor — what matters is his ability to teach and the players’ willingness to learn.”

The current national camp features a squad of 32 senior male and female athletes, along with eight U-17 boys and girls. The federation plans to reduce the senior squad to 20 players through a selection process scheduled for 8 August.

In addition to bringing in a head coach, the federation also plans to recruit a foreign assistant coach or practice partner. Long-term overseas training opportunities for players are also on the agenda, reflecting BTTF’s commitment to elevate the sport’s standards in Bangladesh.