Seventeen-year-old Fatema Akter seems to have grown up fighting the waves of the sea. Every day, her struggle with the waves at Cox’s Bazar beach has taken her one step closer to an international sporting stage.
Fatema first became interested in surfing in 2020 after hearing about the sport from a friend. However, her journey into surfing was fraught with challenges. She faced criticism from her family and people around her, and the mental pressure became so intense that she could not go surfing for an entire week at one point.
But the obstacles could not stop her. Driven by determination, hard work, and a dream, Fatema returned to the waves. Now, after years of struggle, she is waiting to represent Bangladesh in surfing at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.
“Many people said many things when I started. I also heard a lot from my family. But I never gave up. I enjoy surfing, and representing my country at the Asian Games is my greatest joy. I want to perform well and bring honour to the country,” Fatema said.
This will be Bangladesh’s first appearance in surfing at the Asian Games. Fatema is also set to become the first Bangladeshi woman to compete in surfing at the continental sporting event.
The young surfer is excited to become part of the history of both the Asian Games and Bangladeshi surfing. But her ambition goes beyond simply taking part in the competition. She wants to perform well at international events and help make Bangladeshi surfing better known internationally.
“Bangladesh is going to the Asian Games in surfing for the first time, and I am going as the first woman surfer. This is a significant achievement for me. I want to perform well so that the Bangladeshi flag can fly higher. That is my dream,” she said.
Alongside her struggle in surfing, Fatema has another story of hardship. She lost her father at an early age, and her education was almost forced to stop after his death. Despite the difficulties, she continued her studies.
With the support of Rashed Alam, founder and surfing coach of Bangladesh Surf Girls and Boys Club, she has continued her education. Now an SSC candidate, Fatema works hard every day to balance her studies with surfing.
“I want to continue my studies alongside surfing. My SSC examination is ahead, so I am dividing my time between studying and training. My dream is to do something for my country,” she said.
Like Fatema, Mohammad Mannan is also waiting to make history for Bangladesh. He has earned the distinction of becoming the country’s first male surfer to represent Bangladesh at the Asian Games.
But Mannan’s journey has been no easier. Raised in a poor family in Cox’s Bazar’s Kolatoli area, he has struggled to support his family while meeting his own nutritional needs. At night, he sells seashells and other shell items at the beach. Early the next morning, he heads into the sea with his surfboard.
His life revolves around balancing the struggle for a livelihood with his dream of competing at the international level.
“I have to work for my family. I sell seashells at the beach at night and practise surfing in the morning. It is very difficult, but surfing is my dream. So, no matter how challenging it is, I continue training,” Mannan said.
Mannan started surfing in 2016. Through hard work and dedication, he has since competed in the Asian Surfing Championships three times. He earned his place at the Asian Games after emerging as the best performer at the latest national surfing competition.
Despite having competed internationally for years, Mannan said surfers still lack adequate training and facilities. He believes advanced training, proper equipment, nutritional support and regular opportunities to practise are essential for performing well at international competitions.
“To perform well internationally, we need more advanced training abroad. We need regular training, good equipment and nutritional support. But we are not getting adequate facilities. We could perform better if the government provided more support,” he said.
Fatema and Mannan both began their surfing journeys through the Bangladesh Surf Girls and Boys Club. Their introduction to the sport came under the guidance of its founder and surfing coach Rashed Alam.
For years, Alam has worked to encourage young people to take up surfing at Cox’s Bazar beach. Surfers such as Fatema and Mannan have developed their skills under his guidance.
However, Alam believes institutional support is needed to prepare them better for international competitions. He also expressed uncertainty over whether a coach would be able to accompany Fatema and Mannan at the Asian Games.
“Fatema and Mannan have both come this far through hard work. They have the talent and ability to contribute positively to the country. But to perform well internationally, they need regular advanced training. Having a coach with them is very important. We hope for more support from the government and the relevant authorities,” Alam said.
Every day, Fatema and Mannan continue their struggle to turn their dreams into reality amid the waves of Cox’s Bazar beach. One has had to overcome social and family barriers, while the other has had to fight the harsh realities of earning a livelihood. Neither struggle, however, has stopped them from pursuing their dreams.
Fatema dreams of becoming the first Bangladeshi woman surfer to compete at the Asian Games and raise the country’s flag on the international stage. Mannan, meanwhile, hopes to give his best as Bangladesh’s first male surfer at the Games and bring honour to the country.
To make those dreams a reality, they need regular training, international-standard coaching, better equipment, nutritional support and adequate sponsorship. Those involved in the sport also want surfing to receive greater importance in the country’s sporting arena and be developed through institutional support.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
