It is a common scenario among the busy people at the Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport to take a peek at the arrival of country's cricketers and footballers following their achievements on foreign soil, but they probably had no time to watch a smiling sporting hero sporting a black t-shirt, gray trouser and a sponsored cap.
The lack of interest among general people at the airport on Siddiqur Rahman's return was perhaps evidence that golf is still a very unpopular sport in the country. But that hardly diffused the sentiments of Siddiqur who was raucously greeted by the golf federation, sponsors, his family members, amateur golfers, employees of the Kurmitola golf club and a large contingent of media at the airport yesterday.
The 26-year old golfer, who became the first Bangladeshi to win on the Asian tour defeating South African Jbe Kruger in a nerve-wracking play-off at the Brunei Open on August 1, was given a warm reception. The reception was accorded jointly by Bangladesh Golf Federation, Kurmitola Golf Club and sponsors Grameenphone where Siddiqur's father Afzal Hossain, mother Firoza Begum, and younger brothers Rafiqul Islam and Shafiqul Islam were also present.
"If we consider the performance of the country's golfers in the last five years, golf must be the number one game in our country and I believe that golf has a bright future," said Siddiqur, who has qualified for the European Tour for next two years with victory at Brunei Open.
"Nothing is possible without support, something that I got from the federation and my sponsors which is why I have been able to scale this height. I am really grateful to all those who inspired me. I feel proud for my parents," said Siddiqur, who turned professional in 2007 and has now won a cup in the professional circuit within one and a half years.
Siddiqur now dreams of winning bigger tournaments under the European Tour within next two years to qualify for the US PGA Tour. The golfer will take part in a tournament in Switzerland later this month and then go to Japan to play in another tournament.
"I did not think that I would win the Brunei Open, but I gave my full effort. After finishing behind the leader on the first day, I grew in confidence and took the lead on the second day before having a poor third day to share lead.
"On the fourth day, I made a dream start and went ahead by four strokes but could not keep the momentum and lost concentration on the final-72 hole. The match rolled into a play-off," described the golfer from Madaripur.
"I was confident about winning before the play-off started since I had won six to seven games from this situation earlier," he added.
Siddiqur thought the achievement came sooner than he expected, but he was willing to bask in glory for the time.
Source: thedailystar.net
