Chattogram City Corporation have decided to hold the 111th edition of popular wrestling competition ‘Jabbar er Boli Khela’ from April 24 to 26 this year on the Kotwali to Andarkilla road in the port city.
CCC Mayor Rezaul Karim Chwodhury made the announcement in a press briefing on Saturday after a meeting with the committee members for arranging the Jabbar er Boli Khela wrestling competition and fair at his residence.
Earlier on April 13, the committee announced suspension of this year’s Jabbarer Boli Khela as the traditional site for arranging the competition, Laldighi ground, was being renovated.
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Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said, “The earlier announcement disheartened people and they requested us to not suspend it so we decided to arrange it anyway.”
“This year the competition will be held on the road in front of the Laldighi ground area from 3 pm to 5 pm. The competition used to be held for five days but this year it will be a three day long competition along with a fair,” he said.
After holding the 110th edition in 2019 Jabbar er Boli Khela remained suspended for two years due to Covid-19 pandemic.
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'Boli Khela’ was introduced in the early 20th century by Abdul Jabbar Saodagar, a local trader. He wanted to cultivate a sport that would prepare youths to fight the British.
The traditional form of wrestling was named after Jabbar. The first competition was held in 1909.