The final match of the Late Harun Al Rashid and Late Ahmed Hussain Mondal Gold Cup at Bankra Anjuman Athletic Club. Picture by Gopal Senapati

It is like a much-hyped T20 cricket tournament that keeps every one on their toes. Every resident of Bankra is totally involved with the Late Harun Al Rashid and Late Ahmed Hossain Mondal Gold Cup that lasts for a little less than a month. All talks in Bankra are about this tournament, whether it’s in the marketplace or shops or anywhere else.

“We have managed to keep this tournament going for the past seven years and surprisingly, it has become a local festival. The people of Bankra are passionate about this football tournament, which is evident from the turnout at the ground,” said Chikoo Mondal, the secretary of Bankra Anjuman Athletic Club.

The tournament started from January 21 and 16 teams from different parts of Howrah fought hard to get to the top. It was inaugurated on January 21 by footballer Subrata Bhattacharya, minister for irrigation, Rajib Banerjee and MLA Bibhas Hazra. The final, held on February 12, was a star-studded event with Mohun Bagan’s Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mohammedan Sporting’s Ishfaq Ahmed, Gagandeep Singh and Ajay Singh, footballer Dipendu Biswas and actress Sawantika Banerjee attending.

Friends’ Club Howrah and Panchpara Milan Samity qualified for the final. Friends’ Club Howrah won the match 2-0. The winners received cash prize of Rs 40,000 along with the trophy. The runners-up received cash prize of Rs 30,000 and a trophy. Man of the series as well as man of the match, Arjun Chakra-barti from Friends’ Club, Howrah won a cycle and a TV set.

Kicks and hits

The state Taekwondo championship at Balitikuri. Picture by Gopal Senapati

A kick while taking a somersault in the air coinciding with a quick hand movement is what taekwondo combat is all about. The swiftness with which a fighter can combat his opponent is what ups the scores.

Top ranking Taekwondo fighters of Bengal fought at the 30th Open State Taekwondo Championships held at Balitikuri Naba Jagaran Sangha on February 15 and 16. Over 250 participants from Howrah, Hooghly, Calcutta, 24 Parganas, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and Burdwan took part in the two-day championship. There were three rounds of combat in which the fighters had to show clearly the techniques of full contact combat sport that is emphasized by kicks and hits from a mobile position. The final bout was between Howrah and Darjeeling in which Darjeeling emerged winners.