Bangladesh's second National Wushu Championships opened in Dhaka Thursday with 200 competitors from 35 clubs taking part.

F.R. Siddique, president of Bangladesh Wushu Association, who is also the president of South Asia Wushu Association, told Xinhua that Wushu was officially recognized as a sport by the government in 2007, about two decades after it was introduced to the country.

"We held the first National Wushu Championships in October 2007," he said.

Siddique said Wushu would make its debut at the South Asian Games in 2009.

"The Chinese government has given us a lot of help. We hope they can provide us with some Wushu coaches for the better development of Wushu in Bangladesh," he said.

A total of 25 female competitors are entering the championships which will run through Dec. 26.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2008)