DHAKA, March 5, 2024 (BS) - The Bangabandhu 1st Inter-School Gymnastics Competition was held today (Tuesday) at the National Sports Council Gymnasium in the city with the participation of 250 gymnasts from 56 schools across the country.

On this occasion, the day-long event turned to a festive atmosphere throughout the day, sponsored by Shelltech and Electro Mart.
 
Bangladesh Women's Sports Association's president Mahbub Ara Begum Gini was the chief guest prize distribution ceremony and distributed the prizes among the winners.

Apart from the medals, all the participating gymnasts of meet were given a certificate as well.

The old gymnasium of the National Sports Council was bustled with children and teenagers. A teenage girl engaged in rhythmic gymnastics on the mat. Another group of children were encouraging her sitting on the next floor.

This was the first kind of school competition was organized in the country after establishing Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation (BHF).

Class five student Taskin Ahmed, who hailed from Dinajpur Collectorate High School and College, in his immediate reaction after winning gold in the floor exercise, said: "It feels great to participate here and my joy grew even more when I received the medal."

Legendary gymnast Roshan Akter Chobi hailed from Dinajpur district.

Thirty two gymnasts took part in the school gymnastics meet from this district. The school of Dinajpur district won six medals.

The Dinajpur Collectorate High School and College's coach Ajmeri Sultana, who is also a former gymnast, was found excited and said: her team has taken only three months preparation and she never thought it would be such a great competition.

Rupakatha Mallik, who is studying in the second standard of Banasree's Drexel International School in the capital, won bronze in her first participation in the meet. Her father Ripon Lal Mallick works at a Law Firm. She is happy to bring her daughter to gymnastics as she has been learning gymnastics for the past two years.

"I have given her the opportunity to learn gymnastics only for her deep passion in gymnastics. It feels very good to me as she got a medal in her first appearance in the gymnastics competition," Ripon said.

Jyoti Saha's daughter Navneetha Saha is studying in class V of Viqarunnisa Noon School. Now Joyti Saha is happy because her daughter is addition free of various digital platforms including mobile phones, video games and joined gymnastics.

"The children of this generation are getting addicted to mobile phones, laptops, computers, YouTube. But to keep away from these addictions, I brought my daughter to gymnastics. As she spends time here, she also keeps herself fit through this sport. It's a very positive aspect for us," Joyti said.

Gymnastics is one of the most unpopular sports in the country, but BGF is working relentlessly to bring this sport to common people.

The new BGF's general secretary Habibur Rahman said: "We have many high performers but many do physical exercise without knowing it properly. I discuss with my president to give them real gymnastics experience. My plan was to organise this competition long ago bit it did not happen due to various reasons. Finally, I organized the competition by bringing school students from all over the country. Though the work was challenging, but I got a lot of response from the parents end. The kids were so excited when they walked into the gym."

He said the federation's president Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Mamun sees this event as one of the initiatives to find new talent in gymnastics in the country.

"The BGF president has helped me in many ways when I presented my plan to him. Moreover, the federation has arranged accommodation and transportation for many gymnasts participating from all over the country.

 Our Korean coach has plan to select new talented gymnasts from this competition and groom them later stage," Habibur concluded.