Bangladesh won the bronze medal at the 1995 Madras Games -- the biennial event of the SAARC region then known as the SAF Games -- and this time in Colombo, the stick wielders would be happy if they can retain the third place at the tenth edition.

It needs at least four participating teams to host a discipline and four teams it would be competing for three medals. Two will certainly go to archrivals and Asian giants India, the gold medallist, and Pakistan, leaving Bangladesh to fight it out with hosts Sri Lanka.

"Our target is bronze. We don't see anything beyond that," Bangladesh Hockey Federation general secretary Shamsul Bari told The Daily Star.

"With India and Pakistan playing, it is obvious what could a the target for a team like us. We have beaten the Sri Lankan national team at home recently and we are confident that we can beat them again," told Bari referring to Bangladesh's 2-0 win against the islanders in the Asian Games qualifiers in Dhaka a few months back. Bangladesh also won the title in the qualifying tournament remaining unbeaten.

In 1995, five teams took part in the competition but Nepal have not given their entry. Bangladesh produced perhaps their best ever performance in international hockey when they lost to Pakistan in a 3-2 thriller at the Radha-krishnen Memorial Hockey Stadium in Madras. However, they almost lost the bronze as Sri Lanka pulled off a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Better goal-difference saved the blushes of Bangladesh and the players will have to be on guard against the home side.

The four-team competition will be held in league basis at Matale, a hill station near the picturesque Kandy, from August 21-25 but Bari thinks that the height would not be a major for the players.

"Yes we are a little behind in terms of physical fitness but I don't think the players will be able to adopt to the condition. The problem is that we could not hold the camp throughout June due to judicial matters.

All the federation activities were restricted due to a court order from late May to June.

"Apart from winning bronze, our aim is to play better hockey against India and Pakistan. It would also be a good exposure to the team ahead of the Asiad.

In replying to a question, Bari said that playing with a target of becoming third among four teams would not down the morale of the team.

"We know where we stand in Asian hockey. And we will be facing two great teams," he added.

According to coach Jamal Haider, the players have achieved 70 percent fitness and need harder work in the next three weeks. He also pointed out the gap in the training as a reason behind this lack.

The former national stick wielder thinks that the current squad is more balanced than the side that lifted the Asian Cup qualifiers last May, especially after the inclusion of senior players like Mia brothers Issa and Musa and Ashique.

Still, his expectation from the boys was just giving their best against India and Pakistan and beating Sri Lanka to hold on to the bronze.

Squad
Rasel Khan Bappi, Zahid Hossain, Issa Mia, Mashiur Rahman Biplab, Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Shamsuddin Tuhin, Yamin Hossain, Hedayetul Islam Rajib, Musa Mia, Shahidullah Titu, Ashiquzzaman, Mahbub Ehsan Rana, Khondokar Hassan Ahmed, Russel Mahmud Jimmy, Zahidul Islam Rajan, Mazharul Islam Moksed, Maksud Alam Habul, Ariful Haque Prince.