The tradition of games and sports in Kishoreganj

Md Mahfuzur Rahman SiddiquePhysiographically Kishoreganj is formed from the fertile flood plains and a part of the low-lying wetland. The area of the bank of the river Narsunda where this town was founded was once famous for Jhulan Mela (fair). The Pramanik (headmen) of 32 surrounding areas were the organisers of this fair. One of them was Krishna Das Pramanik whose son Nanda Kishore Pramanik was very influential. He established a trading centre in this locality which in later times was named Kishoreganj in remembrance of his name. Kishoreganj was established as a sub-division of Mymensingh District under Dhaka Division in 1868 and in 1869 it was upgraded into municipality. In 1984 it became a district under the administrative decentralisation scheme of the government with 13 upazilas (sub-district) namely Astagram, Bajitpur, Bhairab, Hossainpur, Itna, Katiadi, Karimganj, Kishoreganj, Kuliarchar, Mithamoin, Nikli, Pakundia and Tarail. With 105 union parishads (councils) and 1742 villages the area of this district is 2,688.62 sq km. The total population of this district is around 2.6 million. The male-female ratio being 51-49 (as per 2001 census). Of the wetlands (haors) within the boundary of Kishoreganj, Sonar haor of Astagram, Baula haor of Nikli, Barir haor of Mithamoin, Thallar haor spread over parts of Astagram, Bajitpur and Nikli upazilas are notable. The plain is high yielding land. And the wetlands which are full of various species of sweet water fishes and become migratory birds' sanctuary in the winter are also very fertile for cultivation of boro crops. The low-lying marshes are also rich in aquatic plants. This district is washed by the rivers like Meghna, Brahmaputra and Narsunda. Like its fertile plain and resource-rich wetland Kishoreganj has an ancient and glorious historical past. The historians opined that in ancient times this region was under the domination of Kamroop (Ahom or Assam) Kingdom. The whole or part of this area was under the rule of Pala, Gupta, Burman and Sen rulers of the 11th and 12th century. Subsequently some smaller independent dominions were established including Zangalbari under the reign of Koch, Garo, Rajbangshi and Hajong indigenous communities. During the rule of Feroz Shah in 1491 Mymensingh area came under Muslim rule except Kishoreganj. During the reign of Akbar, the great Moghul Emperor, Muslim rule was established in Kishoreganj except Zangalbari and Egarashindu which were under the domain of Koch and Ahom Kings. In 1538 the Ahom King was defeated by Moghuls in Egarashindu. Later on, in 1580 through the defeat of the Koch-chief of Zangalbari at the hands of Isa Khan, the head of the Twelve Princes (Bara Bhuiyans) of Bengal, the whole of Kishoreganj came under his domination. The most read and talked-about piece of history of Kishoreganj is the fall of Mansing, the Commander in Chief of Moghul Emperor Akbar to Isa Khan at Egarashindu in 1595. At one stage of this famous war between Isa Khan and Moghul soldiers he and Mansingh faced each other in a duel. During this duel the sword of Mansingh was broken. But astonishingly Isa Khan restrained from attacking the armsless Moghul chief and offered him a new one and invited him to restart the attack. Seeing the heroism, generosity, ethical and moral strength of the Bengali hero Mansingh uttered with great surprise, "I have seen Bengal, met with its people, now I see the greatness of its hero." Alongside its glorious history Kishoreganj is adorned with a very rich and old tradition in the culture of games and sports. The legendary Chuni Goshwami (now an Indian citizen) can rightly be said to be the torch bearer of this tradition. He was born on 15th of January in 1938 in the village of Jashadal under the sadar thana of Kishoreganj. His real name is Shubimal Goshwami. Pramath Nath Goshwami was his father. From early boyhood he became interested in football. The old stadium of this town was once a football ground which was transformed as this in 1914. From 1925 sub-divisional level football league was started. In this stadium Chuni Goshwami started his football career. He was registered in the famous Kolkata club, Mohonbagan, after graduating from Kolkata University in 1955. As a player of this club he was established as a great footballer and earned unprecedented name and fame. He became the captain of the Indian Football Team in 1963 and in later days captained the Indian Football Team in the Olympic Games. As a footballer he was given the prestigious Adun award and in 1984 he was decorated with 'Padmasri'. In the old stadium the Corinthian Club of Islington of England played a match during its tour of India. The local Kutigirdhi Club once earned the honour of playing in Kolkata in the IFA Cup. The match between the Kolkata Mohammedan Club with the joint team of Kalighat and East Bengal Club of Kolkata held in this stadium on 4 anna ticket is still a fresh memory of the sports loving people of this district. Football began to flourish during the twenties of the last century in Bhairab, the famous river port and a famous commercial centre on the bank of the mighty Meghna thanks to the patronisation of the Railway Company, Steamer Company and the local British jute traders. This game reached the height of popularity here at the initiative of Mr Bradly and others. Among the local organisers the name of Dr Ali Ahmed is ever memorable. He was the pioneer of the local sporting activities. A club named Dhumketu was established in 1924. Local footballer Md Hashim Miah and Abdul Majid Miah played in Koltaka on behalf of Kutigirdhi Club of Kishoreganj. At one time this game was so popular here that during the mid-fifties ticket-based competitions started in the railway field encircled with bamboos and corrugated iron sheets. Al-Haj Abdur Rahman, the then vice-chairman of Bhairab Municipality, pioneered the organisation of Sher-e-Bangla Challenge Shield Football Tournament during the sixties. The shield made of 500 tolas of silver engraving the beautiful Bhairab railway bridge measuring 6' 3'' in width was claimed to be the biggest in the sub-continent. Among the champions of the tournament from 1962-65 and 1975-78 are the local Haji Asmat Ali College, different clubs of Karachi, Quetta, Dhaka, Chittagong, Syedpur, Munshiganj and the sports associations of the some government and autonomous organisations. Nikli, another upazila of the district, played a vital role in creating the sporting tradition of Kishoreganj. Ramani Prasad Talukdar of Nikli, a resident of Tangail, established Western Sporting Club in 1915. The local Rajbala Shield Tournament was very popular. Mr Stephenson, a local resident and the Managing Director of the David Company, introduced Stephen Shield tournament in the thirties. Bishnu Sutradhar, once a player of the Western Sporting Club, enrolled in the Mohonbagan of Koltaka and earned reputation. The Maddhya Dampara Sports Association of Nikli started Gold Shield Tournament in 1960. One speciality of Nikli in games and sports is worth noticing which is family tradition. The prominent 'Karar Family' of Nikli had been practicing sports from generation to generation. This is a rare characteristic and instance in the sporting arena of Bangladesh. Notable among the famous sports persons came out of this hereditary sports-oriented family are Rais Uddin Karar, Insab Uddin Karar, Gias Uddin Karar, Shams Uddin Karar and Safi Uddin Karar. The successor of this family swimmer Karar Mizan represented Bangladesh in the Sydney Olympiad 2000. Karar Hamidul earned reputation for Bangladesh in SAF (now SA) Games and other international meets. This family played a dominant role in the tradition of Kishoreganj in national level swimming. Abul Hashem of this district was a national champion more than once and is nominated coach of Bangladesh Swimming Federation. His sons Enamul and Nazmul are also potential athletes. Recently Nazmul obtained higher training in the People's Republic of China. The part played by the athletes of this district in the development of national sports also deserves credit. The names of Subal Sarkar, Shajalal Mobeen, Mahbub Alam, Razefa Khatun, Md Al-Amin and Azhar are worth mentioning. Subal Sarkar won bronze in relay race and gold in 800m sprint in 1984 SAF Games. Mahbub Alam bagged gold in 200m sprint in SA Games. Recently this young life full of athletic possibility came to an untimely end in a tragic road mishap. His premature death is an irreparable loss to the sports of the country. This poor piece is dedicated to his memory. Azhar is a bronze earning discus thrower in SA Games. Al-Amin won bronze in the same Games and a national champion in this discipline. Football is no doubt the oldest and most popular of the games being played in Kishoreganj. Naturally it has been the breeding ground of so many proficient footballers over the time. Bhanu Babu, an alumnus of Kishoreganj High School, earned fame as a player in the East Bengal Club of Kolkata. Some of the good booters of this district from fifties to eighties are named here. The names of the clubsorganisations they played for are also bracketed against their names. They are Abdur Rahman Chan Miah (Fire Brigade), Shams Uddin Ahmed Manzil (Fire Service), Mirza Arif (BG Press), Abdul Motaleb (Mohammedan, Wanderers, Fire Service), Abdul Mannan (Fire Service), Fayzul Haque (Victoria), Rais Uddin (Victoria, PWD), Badiuzzaman Khaled (Victoria), Gias Uddin (WAPDA), Nikhil Chakrabarty (Fire Service), Zamiul Huda Minto (PWD), Serajul Haq Habi (PWD), Emdadul Haque Pintu (Mohammedan, BJMC, Wanderers), Lutfor Rahman Tunu (Fire Service), Swapan (Wari), Saifuddin (Wanderers) and Golam Mustafa (Fire Service). Among the present generation booters Himel and Robin are registered with Mohammedan and Abahani Ltd respectively. A successful attempt to revive the past glory of football is the Deputy Commissioner Gold Cup Tournament launched in 1986. SDO Safi Uddin Ahmed took the initiative to organise the tournament in 1978. He procured a cup weighing 20 tolas of gold. But due to unavoidable circumstances he could not start it. In 1986 Deputy Commissioner Mr Shaflul Alam started the tournament. Kishoreganj, B'Baria, Narsingdi and Munshiganj district, some upazila teams of the host district and Victoria, Muktijoddha Sangsad and Kalabagan Krira Chakra of Dhaka participated in the tournament. This riverine district was once popular for rowing (boat race). The townsfolk are still nostalgic of the splendour of rowing competitions used to take place in the Narsunda river. Volleyball is also an old game. A volleyball association was formed in Bhairab as back as in 1984. AKM Aminul Islam is yet another renowned athlete who was a Blue of Mymensingh Agricultural University and took part in the Moscow Universiad. Nazrul Islam Rumi of BKSP is an athletic coach of international repute. Neli Zaman of Bhairab and national sports awardee Razefa Khatun are notable among the sports women. An illustrious son of the district General Md Abdul Mubeen, the incumbent Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, was a renowned hockey player. As the President of Bangladesh Olympic Association and the President of South Asian Olympic Council he steered through the 11th SA Games, Dhaka 2010 to a highly successful conclusion and emerged as an organiser of outstanding calibre. It is worthwhile to mention that in this edition of the Games Bangladesh bagged most golds in comparison to its previous editions. Along with the athletes and organisers the local sports clubs which create sportsmen and women are also credited with a long tradition. The names of some clubs have appeared elsewhere in this discussion. Among the rest Purbasha Sporting Club, SB Sporting Club, Ukil Para Sporting Club, Khairul Smriti Sangsad and some of the upazila-based clubs are making commendable contribution to the athletic tradition. Notwithstanding its long tradition of practicing football, swimming and athletics at present the clubs of Kishoreganj are inclined to and the would be sportsmen are much interested in pursuit of cricket. The obvious reason is that in this game there is the possible security of professional career. There is no denying that the hard work of the volunteer organisers is the catalyst of this long sporting tradition. The secretary of Sub-Divisional Sports Association Tara Miah, Abdul Awal Khan, Prusun Kanti Roy, Azizul Wahab did a lot for the upliftment of sports in this locality with their most dedicated efforts. Md Nuruzzaman an ex-MP and the secretary of DSA endeavoured with total dedication for the development of sports. During his tenure as UNO of Kishoreganj sadar upazila, AN Mainul Islam put tireless efforts to this effect as the DSA Secretary. A fatal road accident not only caused his painful untimely death but also ended his promising career as a devoted government servant and cut short his immense possibility as an efficient sports organiser. Two physical education teachers of the town emerged as most successful organisers. One is of the Govt Gurudayal College Lutful Huda Paltu and the other is the present secretary of DSA Abdul Bari Khan, retired Asst Headmaster of Kishoreganj Govt Boys' High School. Mr Khan is associated with DSA as secretary for nearly three decades. Swapan Sarkar, Harunur Rashid, Mohiuddin Bhuiyan, Md Yahya Bhuiyan, AKM Faruque, Bashir Uddin Faruki are some of the local organisers who have worked and are working with utmost sincerity to develop sports in this district. Besides elite sports, the indigenous and local recreational or fun games and sports have also enriched the sporting tradition of Kishoreganj. Some of these folk and indigenous games are bauchi, ekchela, chor police, kanamachhi, baghbandhi, dang ghuti, gollachhoot, dariabandha and hadudu (classic version of kabadi, our national game). A few of these have already been abolished and others are on the verge of abolition for lack of practice and patronisation. These indigenous and folk sporting pursuits are part of our history and culture. In the context of recent Olympic terminology these fall in the category of 'Sports for All'. The attention of the IOC is now fully focused on the regular practice and revival of indigenous sports throughout the world as a means of maintaining physical fitness and highlighting health consciousness. To streamline IOC activities on sports for all a separate Sports for All Commission has been working since 1985. In order to spread Sports for All activities among the NOCs, the vital constituent of the World Olympic Movement, a biannual Sports for All Congress is held regularly with a moto or theme for each of these Congresses. This IOC Commission works in partnership with the World Health Organisation of the UNO. Increasing number of NOCs are coming up with Sports for All initiatives and activities. Bangladesh Olympic Association, our national Olympic Committee, is also no exception. BOA has so far organised Sports for All activities in the districts of Noakhali, Sylhet, Faridpur, Rangpur and Comilla in association with the local DSA. BOA is now getting logistic support of the British Council, Dhaka in this venture as a part of 'Inspiration 2012', a programme launched by the London Olympic Games Organising Committee 2012. The Kishoreganj DAS may also come forward to revive the local folk and indigenous games named above including kite flying, cock fight, bull fight and ladder race which were once popular folk games and sports of the district. Lastly a few words may be devoted on the occasion which prompted the scribe of this humble piece to gather some information and statistics on the games and sports of this district. While conducting an Olympic Solidarity Sports Administrators Course in Kishoreganj DSA along with NCD of BOA ATM Shamsul Islam Mondal and Kazi Moinuzzaman in July 2011, this idea was conceived. The course financially supported by the Olympic Solidarity World Programme under 2009-2012 quadrennial was supposed to be held elsewhere. The CEO and Director of BOA Col (Retd) Md Waliullah suggested the NCD to organise it in DSA, Kishoreganj. Accordingly the proposal put forward by the NCD in charge was recommended by the Solidarity Committee and it got kind approval of the serving Secretary General of BOA Mr Kutubuddin Ahmed. During the course it was revealed that the CEO and Director rightly suggested choosing the venue. Representatives of Kishoreganj, Sherpur and Netrokona DSAs participated in the course. In both the opening and the closing-cum-certificate award ceremonies the Deputy Commissioner, Kishoreganj and DSA President Mr Siddiqur Rahman, District Police Super and DSA Vice-President Mr Reazul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) and another DSA Vice-President Mr Tulshi Ranjan Shaha devoted much of their valuable time and cordial assistance in making the course a highly successful one. All of these civil servants seemed to be very much aware of the significant role of sports in building the mindset and character of the youth and the importance of games and sports in society. In association with local organisers they are working sincerely to make optimum use of the huge new Syed Nazrul Islam Stadium. It is hoped that their concerted efforts will further enrich the tradition of games and sports of Kishoreganj. The joint secretary and a participant of the course Mr AKM Faruque and another participant Mrs Marzia Begum helped with the information despite tight schedule of the course. The scribe is much indebted to them. Due to lack of knowledge and sufficient information the names of many organisers and athletes of past and present of the sports arena of Kishoreganj have been left out which is highly regretted.