Samiha Akhter (third from left) delivering her speech during the JCI World Debating Championship, while Muntasir Mamun (far left) and Zafir Shafiee Chowdhury (second from left) prepare for their turns in Taoyuan, Taiwan recently Last week the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh debate team secured an extraordinary victory at the 2024 JCI World Debating Championship. This remarkable accomplishment marks the first time a team from JCI Bangladesh has claimed this prestigious title globally. It captured world attention and brought a new chapter to Bangladesh's history in international debate.
The JCI Bangladesh team, led by Samiha Akhter, Zafir Shafiee Chowdhury, and Muntasir Mamun showcased exceptional skill, teamwork, and passion for debate on the world stage. The championship was hosted during the JCI World Congress in Taoyuan, Taiwan, from October 28 to November 02. It gathered more than 4,000 young leaders from 100 nations.
Samiha Akhter shared, "Since my university days, debating has always been a passion of mine. I loved applying the power of words; and how with logical arguments any topic can be presented from for and against sides. "
Samiha's passion for debate began at a young age, and her achievements were clear when, in 2017, she became the first Bangladeshi to win both the JCI Bangladesh National Public Speaking and National Debating Championships within the same year. That achievement inspired her to represent JCI Bangladesh at the JCI Asia Pacific Conference (ASPAC) in Mongolia for public speaking, driven by a personal goal which was to secure an international victory for JCI Bangladesh.
The team's journey wasn't without its challenges. They participated in the JCI Asia Pacific Debating Championship in Jakarta in 2023, where they ended up as runners-up. This outcome only fueled their thirst. Next year, they dedicated themselves to rigorous practice, refining their skills and strategies to strengthen their performance.
Their hard work paid off in 2024, when they participated in the ASPAC in Cambodia, defeating strong teams from Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Mongolia to win the title. In the recent World Debating Championship, they competed against stronger teams from Ireland, Denmark, Ecuador, Malaysia, Taiwan, etc.
Zafir shared, "From participating in the Asia Pacific regional competition to competing with the champions from different regions in the world championship, we were unbeaten and the reason was sheer teamwork and engagement. We made sure we engaged with every argument that was presented and were confident while doing it.
Muntasir added, "I think our team showed an excellent example of teamwork. We were confident enough and our arguments were more convincing."
Their victory at the 2024 JCI World Debating Championship is not only a JCI Bangladesh achievement but an inspiring moment for all debaters, be they students or professionals, in Bangladesh.
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