Boat race on Kirtonkhola river

Photo: STAR

A colourful boat race, popularly known as 'Nouka Baich', was held recently on Kirtonkhola River.
The event was organised by Barisal City Corporation (BCC) in cooperation with mobile phone operator Banglalink and Bangladesh Rowing Federation under the title 'Bangla Link- Mayor Nouka Baich'to popularise indigenous sports, culture and amusement traditions and save river, waterways, water bodies from siltation and extinction.
The 5 kilometre long Nouka Baich started from Shahid Abdur Rab Serniabad Bridge at Dapdapia and ended an hour later at Charkawa Ferry Ghat.
BCC Mayor Advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron as chief guest of the
programme said BCC will continue to patronise the rich culture of
the country and expressed his solidarity with local and regional traditions.
Banglalink regional commercial head Babul Haque and Saidur Rahman Rintu, president Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries, were also present in the ceremony.
Thirteen racing boat teams from Barisal, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Faridpur, Pirojpur districts participated in the competition.
BCC Mayor distributed Taka 30,000 with a 14 inch colour TV as first prize, Taka 20,000 and a 14 inch color TV as 2nd prize and Taka.15, 000 with a 14 inch color TV as 3rd prize among the racing boat teams led by Rafik Khan of Hizla, Barisal; Goutam Bhakto of Gopalganj and Sukumar Bain of Rajoir, respectively, at the end of the race.
Besides the entire participant teams were awarded 14 inch color TV sets as consolation prizes.
Thousands of people including senior officials of district and divisional and police administration, local government representatives enjoyed the race and encouraged the participant teams, crowding the river banks on the racing route.