The 8th National Surfing Tournament has concluded at the Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach, bringing fresh hope for Bangladesh’s surfing arena as top performers secured spots for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
Approximately 70 surfers from across the country participated in the competition, which not only showcased their talent but also opened up new opportunities for international exposure. The winners—Mohammad Mannan in the men’s category and Fatema Akter in the women’s—are now set to represent Bangladesh on a bigger stage.
Mannan’s journey reflects more than a decade of dedication and perseverance. He described this year’s event as more structured and competitive than previous editions.
“The waves are everything in surfing. The timing of this tournament was perfect—we had consistent and strong waves throughout, which helped us perform at our best,” he said.
Dominating from the first round to the semifinals, Mannan now aims to deliver his best performance at the Asian Games. However, he also pointed out challenges such as a lack of financial support, quality equipment, and international-standard training, which hinder the development of surfing talent in the region.
On the women’s side, Fatema Akter emerged champion after outperforming 13 competitors. The young surfer from Cox’s Bazar balances her studies with her passion for surfing.
She hopes to see surfing, like football and cricket, gain popularity in Bangladesh. “I want people at home and abroad to recognize our surfing and come here to experience it,” she said.
Fatema has already gained international exposure by competing in events in the Maldives and India, experiences that have strengthened her confidence and adaptability to larger waves.
Officials of the Bangladesh Surfing Association believe both Mannan and Fatema are valuable assets for the country. Secretary General Moazzem Hossain said preparations are underway to provide international training ahead of the Asian Games.
He noted that one of the key limitations for Bangladeshi surfers is the relatively small waves at home compared to those at international venues. Plans are in place to train athletes abroad to enhance both technical and mental readiness.
There are also initiatives to include runners-up in regular training programs to build a stronger future team.
Although surfing in Bangladesh is still in its early stages, the long coastline of Cox’s Bazar, growing interest among youth, and a growing number of events suggest strong potential for the sport.
Talents like Mannan and Fatema are leading the way, making the dream of taking Bangladesh’s flag to greater heights on the global surfing stage appear closer than ever.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
