Jabbarer Boli Khela today

The historical wrestling competition, popularly known as 'Jabbarer Boli Khela', will be held at Laldighi Maidan in the port city today.
The organisers said around 50 bolis (wrestlers) from different villages and upazila will take part in the competition.
The wrestling competition has stepped into its 102nd year. To inspire the youths to take part in the anti British movement and to foster a daredevil mentality in the youths to combat colonial rule, a merchant by the name of Jabbar Sawdagor arranged the first wrestling competition at the ground in 1909.
To mark the occasion a three day long Baishakhi Mela began yesterday in the city amid much fanfare. Hundreds of makeshift shops were set up from Anderkilla to the Kotwali intersection and Bakshir Hat to Cinema Palace area.
Traders from different parts of the country gathered here to sell their commodities including handicrafts, toys, huge varieties of homemade traditional products, pottery, handlooms, textile garments, and showpieces. Home-produced conventional sweetmeats and seasonal fruits are also a highlight at the fair. Thousands of city dwellers as well as visitors from far distances and upazilas thronged the first day of the fair.
Though it is a three-day long fair it will continue for seven days, like in other years.