Besides winning gold in two team events and one singles event, Eti has filled her parents’ hearts with joy and confidence in her.

It was not really easy for Eti to touch the point perfectly and win glory for the country, but she made it possible with strong conviction.

Ebadat Ali, proud father of Eti, with soaked eyes, told UNB “I’m the happiest man today. I couldn’t carry the cost of my daughter’s education, or provide good food due to extreme poverty. Forced by poverty, I wanted to marry off her when she was in class six,“ he said. “I wish no father would arrange early marriage for his daughter.”

Aleya Khatun, mother of Eti, told UNB “I’m proud of my daughter and seek prayers from the people of the country for her.”

Eti Khatun fled from her early-marriage bid while she was reading in class six, and attended an archery talent-hunt camp in Chuadanga. She was selected there and later joined open trial.

Chuadanga’s Eti Khatun is the best archer in South Asia today.

Overwhelmed by student’s success, Chuadanga Jhinuk High School’s sports teacher Shamsunnahar Shila, said “I’m really happy for Eti’s success. She is the pride of the country now.”

Naim Hasan Joarder, general secretary of Chuadanga Zila Krira Sangstha, said female archers of the district will be more confident after Eti’s success in the 13th SA Games.

Sohel Akram, founder of Bangladesh Archery Foundation and also Chuadanga Archery training coach, told UNB: “I found the latent talent in Eti and cared for her much. I was confident that she would bring fame for the country.”