Chattogram: All preparations are afoot to kick off the three-day long 116th traditional Abdul Jabbar’s wrestling event, which is also a centerpiece of the larger Boishakhi fair at the historic permanent venue, Laldighi Maidan, and its adjoining areas on Thursday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Boishakhi fair will begin from Thursday, April 24, with the main attraction of the event, popularly known as Abdul Jabbarer Boli Kela, a traditional wrestling event, set to be held at the main Laldighi ground on Friday afternoon. This historic event was introduced by Abdul Jabbar Sawdagar, a prominent social worker and businessman of the Badarpatti area in the city, in 1909 as part of his efforts to inspire and motivate the youths of this region to participate in the anti-British movement.
City Mayor Dr. Shahdat Hossain is scheduled to attend the prize-giving ceremony as the chief guest, while the commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, Hashib Aziz, will formally inaugurate the wrestling competition. Shawkat Anwar Badal, member secretary of the Boli Khela organizing committee and grandson of Abdul Jabbar Sawdagar, elaborated on the preparations to make the historic event a success at a press conference held at City Corporation’s Public Library auditorium this afternoon.
An 11-member committee has been formed to ensure the historic event is conducted in a disciplined manner. Former secretary of the Chattogram district sports association, Hafizur Rahman, and Shawkat Anowar Badal have been made convener and member secretary respectively of the committee. Hafizur Rahman, convener and chief judge of the Boli Khela organizing committee, along with other notable figures such as Zahidul Karim Kochi, Mohammed Shah Nowaz, Mohammad Morshed Ahmed, Alhaj Ismail Boli, and BNP leader Harun Zaman, spoke at the event.
Organizers have confirmed that over a hundred Boli or wrestlers from different parts of the country, especially from greater Chattogram and its adjacent districts, will participate in the competition. Grameenphone is sponsoring this year’s Boli Khela. Law enforcement agencies and privately engaged volunteers will closely monitor the event to prevent any disturbances or attempts to extort illegal tolls from owners of the makeshift stalls.
The century-old historic fair is a significant cultural event celebrating the Bengali New Year (Boishakh) and is centered on the wrestling tournament. The competition of the country’s traditional wrestlers, who are popular in rural areas as a Boli or Kustigir, and the Boishakhi mela is adorned with locally made beautiful handicrafts and indigenous household items, is held in and around Laldighi Maidan, covering at least one kilometer.