On September 14-15, “1st BKSP Judo Cup Competition 2015” was jointly organized by the Embassy of Japan and Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) utilizing the brand new Judo facilities which were recently provided by the Government of Japan to BKSP under the Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project at BKSP. At the opening ceremony, chief guest Honorable State Minister for Youth and Sports, Dr. Biren Sikder, H.E. Masato Watanabe, Ambassador of Japan and Brigadier general Ali Murtaza Khan, DG of BKSP were present, while Brigadier General S.K. Abul Barak (Retd), President of Bangladesh Judo Federation were present at the closing and award giving ceremony.

About one hundred participants including a considerable number of female participants from 13 organizations -- BKSP, Dhaka University, Eden Girls’ College, Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), Bangladesh Village Police, Bangladesh Ansar, Japanese Association in Bangladesh, Rajshahi Judo Club, Rajshahi Sports Council, Gaibandha Sports Council, Jamalpur Sports Council and Marshal Arts Sports Academy of Dhaka --participated in the tournament.

Before the competition started, the participants warmed up by doing Bangla Exercise (http://youtu.be/d4S10E7JNc0 ), jointly produced by BKSP and JICA Volunteers. Minister Shikder commended the fun and easy exercise which uses the famous Nazrul Song “Chol Chol Chol.” The exercise would be highly beneficial to improve people’s health condition if done regularly. The Bangla exercise has already been introduced to some schools and a diabetic hospital where positive impact on health is expected.