Photo : BSS

CHITTAGONG, April 22, 2025 (BSS):- All preparations are afoot to kick off three day long 116th traditional Abdul Jabbar’s wrestling event also  a centrepiece of the larger Boishakhi fair at the historic permanent venue , Laldighi Maidan and its adjoining areas on Thursday.  

Though the Boishakhi fair will begin from Thursday, April 24, the main attraction of the event, popularly known as Abdul Jabbarer Boli Kela, a traditional wrestling event will be held at main Laldighi ground on Friday afternoon. 

The historic event was introduced by Abdul Jabbar Sawdagar, a prominent social worker and businessman of 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 chief guest while 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 at a press conference held   at City Corporation’s Public Library auditorium this afternoon elaborated the preparations to make the historic event a success.

An 11-member committee has been formed to make the historic event a success in a disciplined manner. Former secretary of the Chattogram district sports association Hafizur Rahman and Shawkat Anowar Badal, grandson of late Abdul Jabbar Sawdagar  have been made convener and member secretary respectively of the committee .  

Hafizur Rahman, convener and chief judge of the Boli Khela organizing committee, Zahidul Karim Kochi, member secretary of the interim committee of the Chattogram Press Club, Mohammed Shah Nowaz, President of the Chattogram Metropolitan Union of Journalists, Mohammad Morshed Ahmed, regional head of Grameen Phone Ltd, former CCC Ward Councillor Alhaj Ismail Boli and BNP leader Harun Zaman, were among others spoke at the event.

 Organizers said over a hundred Boli or wrestlers from different parts of the country especially from greater Chattogram and its adjacent districts have confirmed their participation in the competition. Grameenphone is sponsoring this year's Boli Khela.

Law enforcement agencies and privately engaged volunteers will closely vigil in and around the event to avert any sorts of trouble and attempt 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 that covers  at least one kilometre .