Zakir Azad, Cumilla 

The traditional game of 'Ha Doo Do 'and 'Bolli 'was organized at the Town Hall ground, the heart of Cumilla city on Monday evening marking the Pahela Baishakh. 

A crowd of eager spectators surrounded the field. The arrangement of this village game in the glittering city fascinated the spectators. Surrounded by tall buildings around the field, there is not much space for many people to sit - even then, thousands of spectators stood and enjoyed the exciting event with applause and commotion while playing the game.

This unique arrangement was organized by Cumilla South District and Metropolitan BNP to make the New Year colourful. The games started at the Cumilla Town Hall ground on Wednesday afternoon on the third day of Baishakh. Since there are not many rural games in the city, a large crowd of people of all ages came to enjoy this event. 

The chief guest of the event, Haji Aminur Rashid Yasin, a member of the advisory board of the BNP Chairperson, said, "We have to keep these rural games alive through practice. We have tried to organize these events not only for the people of the village but also in the city. We hope that after seeing this event, the people of the city and the new generation will be more interested in the traditional indigenous game." On Wednesday evening , two teams named Red and Green were formed with players from various educational institutions and upazilas, including players from the Cumilla district Hadudu (Kabaddi) team. In the two-round game, the Red team defeated the Green team by 29-21 points.

 The audience in the exciting game was mostly comprised of school and college students and people from different walks of life who came to the city for various purposes. The entire town hall ground erupted in applause during the competitive moments of the game. Players and spectators were happy to play in the open field and watch the game. 

Hossain Noor, a player of the green team and a player of the Cumilla district team, said, "Earlier, we played kabaddi indoors at the Cumilla Stadium. This time, it feels great to play kabaddi in the open field in our own city. The support of people in the open field is different." Noor Nabi, a textile trader from Kandirpar area, said, "I played kabaddi in school and college as a child. After that, I did not play or watch it again due to lack of time. It was good to see the game again today." Grameen Ha Do Do and Boli Khela in the New Year's City The Boli Khela started after dusk.

 The traditional wrestling game of rural Bengal is known as Boli Khela. Players from different upazilas participated in the matches titled Mama Bhagina's Bowling Game. The winner of each 10-minute bowling match received a cash prize. Mir Hossain Joni came from Sonagazi in Sadar Dakshin Upazila to participate in the bowling game. Joni said, "I have participated in bowling games in villages before. This game is more popular in different villages during winter. This is the first time I am playing in a city. It feels good to see so many spectators." Mehedi Hasan, a student of Cumilla Victoria College, a viewer of the bowling game, said, "I have heard the name of the bowling game in Chittagong before. I have seen the news of the bowling game on television and in newspapers. 

This is the first time I am seeing the bowling game face to face in this house. Sports lovers will always enjoy organizing such a game." Yusuf Molla Tipu, one of the organizers of the game, said, "Those who win the game have been awarded by BNP." This time, we will organize such rural games again at various festivals, as we have received all the support we have received.