C T Online Desk: Apr 16, 2026– The traditional Abdul Jabbar Wrestling Competition and Boishakhi Fair, popularly known as “Jabbarer Boli Khela,” will be held on April 25 at Laldighi Maidan in the port city.
Preparations are in full swing for the 117th edition of the event, according to a press release issued by the organising committee.
This historic wrestling competition and fair, held for over a century to celebrate the Bengali New Year, attracts participants from Greater Chattogram and other parts of the country.
The event was initiated during the British colonial era by the late Abdul Jabbar Sawdagar, a prominent social worker and businessman from the Badarpati area of the city. Its aim was to inspire youth and promote the anti-colonial movement.
The competition typically features traditional wrestlers, known as boli or kustigirs, who are popular in rural areas. The Boishakhi Mela is held in the surrounding area of Laldighi Maidan and showcases locally made handicrafts, artefacts, and indigenous household items.
The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) is taking proactive measures to ensure security during the event. A coordination meeting was held at the CMP headquarters this morning to review preparations for maintaining law and order. CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Shawkat Ali emphasised the importance of ensuring safety for all, given the expected large crowd.
Preparations have been made to manage crowd control, traffic regulation and emergency services. The goal is to ensure that people can enjoy the festival without any concerns. Representatives from government and private organisations, as well as officers from various police units, attended the meeting. Key attendees included Additional Commissioner (Traffic and Administration-Finance) Wahidul Haque Chowdhury, Deputy Police Commissioners Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan, Md Habibur Rahman, Sheikh Shariful Islam and Nesar Uddin Ahmed.
