A daylong ‘Bangabandhu Cup International Boat Race (Nouka Baich) Competition’ was held in city’s Hatirjheel area on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the country’s independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today. Report BSS
The Bangladesh Rowing Federation organized the boat race or Nouka Baich competition while Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud inaugurated it as chief guest, a press release said.
With Bangladesh Rowing Federation President Advocate Mollah Abu Kawsar in the chair, the event was attended, among others, by Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami and Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha (Rajuk) ABM Amin Ullah Nuri as guests of honor.
During the competition, ‘Bangladesh Sabuj Dal’ won in the men’s category while ‘Kolkata Bengal Water Sports Club’ of India became the champion in the women’s category.
The runner-up teams are: ‘Kolkata Bengal Water Sports Club’ in men’s category and ‘Bangladesh Lal Mohila Dal’.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the event, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud urged all to be united against those who illegally grab embankments of rivers, fill water bodies and contaminate the rivers of the country.
Describing Bangladesh as the land of river, he said: “The rivers of the country are like the veins and sub-veins of the country. A united effort of all is needed against those who occupy river banks, fill or pollute rivers or reservoirs.”
Hasan, also Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary, said the once stinking Hatirjheel has been given an aesthetic look with the establishment of an amphitheater under the direction of worthy daughter of Bangabandhu and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“I hope the Rowing Federation will organize regular boat race competition in Hatirjheel,” he added.
He further said: “Our relationship with the boat is not only limited in river areas. Boat is the symbol of Awami League. The boat is a symbol of the thousand-year-old Bengali tradition.”
