Gofran Biswas Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)

BPCL 2nd Roller speed skating marathon competition was held for the first time at Kalapara Payra Thermal Power plant Sixlane road on Friday at 5 pm. Bangladesh Roller Skating Federation organized this competition.

Students from different districts of the country including Dhaka, Comilla, Kushtia, Mymensingh, Khulna, Jessore, Dinajpur participated in it. Thousands of eager spectators throng both sides of the six-lane road to watch the speed skating marathon.

Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed was present as the chief guest of the marathon competition. President of Bangladesh Roller Skating Federation Md. Abul Kalam Azad presided over the event.

Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Md. Shariful Islam, General Secretary of Bangladesh Roller Skating Federation Ahmed Asiful Hasan, Payra 1320 Thermal Power Plant Manager Shah Muhammad Shariful Islam, Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Force Director Md. Ziaul Hasan were present as special guests.

Upazila Executive Officer Md. Jahangir Hossain, member secretary of the organizing committee Ashraful Alam Masud and others were also present at that time. Besides, the officials of Bangladesh Roller Skating Federation were present in this marathon competition event.

According to the students participating in the competition, skating is a strategic sport of physical exercise. One has to participate in it with mind and goal set. It also takes courage. We participated in this competition with indomitable courage.

200 competitors including 53 women members of Roller Skating Federation from different parts of Bangladesh participated in the competition in 6 categories. Prizes and certificates were distributed among the participants at the end of the competition.

Apart from this, a 'Beach Cleaning Campaign' will be held on the Kuakata beach on Saturday morning, May 27, under the initiative of Bangladesh Roller Skating Federation.

According to related sources, the first roller speed skating marathon competition was held in Cox's Bazar earlier.