Chittagong’s traditional jabbar balikhela is today Thursday. Volleyball is a form of wrestling. On the occasion of the 115th edition of volleyball, a three-day fair was held at the historic Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong. At the fair, the shopkeepers are arranging household items, cool rugs, hand fans, bahari food stalls. Thousands of people gather from far and wide to watch wrestling.
Wrestlers from different parts of the country gather on 25 April or 12 Baisakh. One wrestling match followed. Wrestlers get addicted to who will defeat whom. Volleyball was not played in 2020 and 2021 due to Corona. Due to various complications, fairs and games were not held in 2022. There was no shortage of excitement surrounding the 2023 ball game. However, due to excessive heat, there are doubts about this year’s Balikhela and fair, but the enthusiasm has started to increase in the meantime. Although the game is one day, the fair will continue for three days. We will have to wait some more time to see who will be the champion of 2024.
Many historians believe that efforts to unite the Bengali youth community against the British rule took place in various ways. Following that, the issue of wrestling competition came to the mind of Abdul Jabbar Saudagar, a rich businessman of Badarpati area of Chittagong city. He started his first wrestling competition in 1909. Since then businessman Abdul Jabbar used to organize wrestling competition every year. He used to reward the winners. After Jabbar’s death, ‘Jabbar Balikhla’ was founded in his name.
The most exciting event of volleyball is the wrestling competition. Around this competition, the youth of different districts took preparations in advance. But the most interesting thing is that no one could beat Didar Bali, a resident of Ramu in Cox’s Bazar district. People of Chittagong know Didar Bali by one name. In 2002, Didar Bali became the joint champion with Siddique Bali. Later in 2004 to 2006 and 2008 to 2009, Didar Bali jointly won the championship with Khagrachari Maram Singh. However, in 2007, Didar won the honor of becoming the champion by defeating Maram Singh.
From 2010 to 2013, Didar Bali was expelled for misconduct. He returned to the field in 2013 and held the championship until 2015. In the 108th season i.e. in 2017, 13 times champion Didar Bali stunned everyone. In the final round, Didar defeated Shamsu Bali of Ukiar in the same district in 17 minutes. In volleyball, the spectators find Didar Bali on the field. However, he announced his retirement after the game.
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