The 6th International Surfing Championship was held at the Kolatoli point of the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar yesterday.
About a hundred surfers took part in the day-long competition. A large number of spectators enjoyed the water sport organised by Surfing Bangladesh and sponsored by Akiz Food and Beverage Limited.
Tom Bauer, president of international surfing organisation ‘Surfing The Nation’ declared the competition open. The former surfer hailed the efforts of the media to popularise the sport in Bangladesh and also to promote Cox’s Bazar as an excellent tourist destination around the world.
The main attraction of the event was Zafar Alam, the first Bangladeshi surfer in the international circuit.
Zafar went amid a raucous roar from the crowd to show his skills on the surfing board and that one show was enough to earn him the position of the group champion.
Apart from Zafar, Rashed, Aziz, Jewel, Nasima, Nahida and Amena also delighted the local crowd with their exploits.
Eighteen competitors won prizes in three categories. Farhad Hossain became champion in the men’s event, Nasima Aktar in the junior beginners’ category while Muhammad Selim won the child’s bodyboard category.
Nasima and Selim, who happen to be siblings, were excited having grabbed cheques of Tk 10,000 each.
