Chittagong Bureau :
The century-old traditional Baishakhi Fair-cum-Abdul Jabbar Wrestling Competition , popularly known as Abdul Jabbarer Boli Kela began at the historic Laldighi Maidan yesterday afternoon.
Md. Didar Boli of Kutubdia , of CoxsBazar clinched champion for the 11th times in this historical wrestling competition of Chittagong. He participated 12 th time but clinched champion for 11th times. The first participant wrestler from Narayangonj Md. Habibul secured runners up. A total of 103 wrestlers(boli) across the country participated the boli khela yesterday. The Chief guest handed over prize money of Tk.25 thousand and Tk.15000 with trophies to the champion and the runners up respectively.
Besides, the three-day 105th Baishakhi Mela, centering around wrestling competition, will also begin yesterday at Laldighi Maidan and in its adjoining areas, organizing committee source said.
Mela organizing committee chairman and councilor Johur Lal Hazari told this correspondent that stage is set to hold the gala event in a peaceful manner.
The historic wrestling competition and Bangla New Year fair is held every year with much enthusiasm, which is joined by thousands of people from different parts of the country, including greater Chittagong.
The competition, joined by the country’s traditional wrestlers, who are popular in rural areas as “boli” or “kustigir”, and Boishakhi Mela, with an array of locally-made beautiful handicrafts and indigenous household goods, locally made sweetmeats, toys for children , wooden varieties of furitures, bamboo and cane products , earthen wares are displayed on an area of about one kilometer alongside Laldighi Maidan.
Boli Khela was first introduced in 1909 by Abdul Jabbar Sowdagar of Badarpathi of Chittagong .
His desire was to cultivate a sport that would prepare the youth to fight against the British rule, which is a self- defense without weapons Boli Khela is a form of combat sport involving grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint
locks, pins and other grappling holds.
It is one of the oldest traditions of Chittagong. The sporting event, held in the first month of Bangla year, always takes place at Laldighi Maidan.
Head of news of Channel-I graced the occasion as chief guest while the Additional Police commissioner of Chittagong Mr. Banaj Kumar Majumder and AL city secretary and sports organizer AZM Nasiruddin attended it as special guests.
