Jobbarer Bolikhela

Didarul Alam Didar of Cox's Bazar and Mormon Singh Tripura became joint champions in the near century-old wrestling competition Jobbarer Boli Khela in the port city yesterday afternoon.

Jobbar Smriti Boli Khela O Baishakhi Mela Parisad organised the wrestling competition cum Mela in the city's Laldighi Maidan. It was the fifth overall title won by Didar, a trader from Omkhali under Ramu upazila in Cox's Bazar district.

He also won the championship title (jointly) with then defending champion Siddique of Ukhiya in 2003. He lost to Marma in 2004 before bouncing back again.

Marma, a sub inspector of Gulshan Police Station in Dhaka, won the championship three years in a row from 2004 to 2006. Didar said he regularly takes physical exercise to keep his body fit. Marma expressed satisfaction saying he was confident of winning title this year.

Abdul Jobbar Sowdagar, a well-known merchant of Chittagong's Anderkilla area, introduced the age-old competition in 1909 with a view to organise the local youths to fight against then British imperial rule.

Acting Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Alhaj M Monzur Alam inaugurated the fair while Police Commissioner of Chittagong M Akbar Ali was present as chief guest. A three-day 'Baishakhi Mela' started on Thursday on the occasion of the Jobbarer Boli Khela, at the Laldighi Maidan premises.