A young girl from a remote hill village in Rajsthali, Rangamati has suddenly become the centre of attention in Bangladesh’s sporting arena. Her name is Khoyi Khoyi Sai Marma, and at just 18 years of age she has written a brand-new chapter in Bangladesh’s table tennis history.
Returning from Riyadh with a silver medal in mixed doubles at the Islamic Solidarity Games—partnering the experienced Javed Ahmed—Khoyi Khoyi has achieved something few expected. Bangladesh usually participates in such events with the hope of performing respectably, not with the expectation of winning medals. Yet this time, the unexpected happened.
This is Bangladesh’s first-ever table tennis medal in any major competition outside South Asia. Previously, Sadia Rahman Mou reached the quarter-finals in the women’s singles, but podium finishes were rare dreams. Khoyi Khoyi’s success has changed that narrative.
Her rise is remarkable because she is not yet a national champion. But her rapid progress is undeniable. She won the Under-19 national title, reached the quarter-finals in seniors, and recently claimed the Federation Cup title—clear signs of her growing dominance. Currently she ranks second among Bangladeshi women players, just behind Sadia Rahman.
Born into a poor farming family—her father Kyhlahkhoyi Marma and mother Mohhlaching Marma both work in agriculture—Khoyi Khoyi’s journey has been anything but easy. She began playing table tennis at Quantum School in Lama, Bandarban, where coaches first spotted her talent. Later, coach Hasan Munir Suman brought her and a few others to Dhaka, providing training, accommodation, and facilitating their admission to BKSP. That is where her true advancement began.
Speaking after her return from Riyadh, she said, “I want to perform well in the SA Games in two years. The Commonwealth Games are also a big target. Bangladesh men reached the quarter-finals once—I want to go further.”
She also revealed a heartfelt dream: “Our house in the village is in poor condition. With the money I earn from this medal, I want to build a proper home for my parents.”
From the hills of Rangamati to the international podium, Khoyi Khoyi Sai Marma’s journey is just beginning—and all of Bangladesh believes she can go much further.
