OTT Outreach: Toffee to Stream Jabbar’s Boli Khela Live Nationwide

The 117th edition of the traditional Jabbarer Boli Khela (Jabbar’s Wrestling) of Chattogram will be held on Saturday, 25 April, at Laldighi Maidan. The event will be broadcast live on Toffee, one of the country’s leading OTT platforms.

Digital operator Banglalink has joined the event as a sponsor for the 12th time.

Marking the occasion, a Boishakhi fair will also be held at Laldighi Maidan and its surrounding areas from 24 to 26 April. Through this sponsorship, Banglalink aims to highlight its “care” philosophy and contribute to the preservation and promotion of the country’s cultural heritage.

Ahead of the event, on Wednesday, 22 April, the Chattogram City Corporation installed a mural depicting Boli Khela at Laldighi premises. Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain inaugurated the mural. During the event, the square was named “Jabbar Chattar” after Abdul Jabbar Saudagar, the founder of Jabbarer Boli Khela.

At a press conference held at the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Public Library auditorium, Organizing Committee General Secretary and grandson of Abdul Jabbar Saudagar, Shawkat Anwar Badal, highlighted various aspects of the competition.

He said that although the main event will take place on 25 April, the fair will begin on 24 April. As the SSC examination is scheduled for 26 April and a center is located at Government Muslim High School adjacent to the ground, it has been decided to conclude the fair early on 26 April (Sunday) morning.

CCC Chief Executive Officer and Secretary Mohammad Ashraful Amin, Chief Engineer Anisur Rahman Sohel, Organizing Committee President Hafizur Rahman, General Secretary Shawkat Anwar Badal, and members Khorshed Anwar Babul, Akhtar Anwar Chanchal, Jahangir Alam, Md. Selim, Abdul Karim, Harun Zaman, Ismail Bali, SM Abdullah Akhtar, Md. Belal, were also present at the press conference.

According to sources, the competition was initiated in 1909 by local businessman Abdul Jabbar Saudagar to inspire theyouth, and it has now become a century-old tradition. With live streaming on Toffee, audiences across the country will be able to enjoy this traditional event from their homes, further expanding its reach. Banglalink aims to take Jabbarer Boli Khela beyond Chattogram and present it to viewers nationwide.

DBTech/NA/EK/OR