Once the most vibrant and popular traditional sport of rural Bengal, Ha-du-du is now facing an existential crisis in Ghoraghat upazila of Dinajpur due to shrinking playgrounds, the rise of digital and mobile gaming, and a severe lack of regular tournaments, training, and institutional patronage.
Local elders and sports organizers, including veteran players Mohammad Mokshed Ali and Mohammad Abu Bakkar Siddique, recall when afternoon matches drew entire villages together, fostering deep social bonds and community spirit.
Expressing concern over the loss of this cultural heritage, local teacher Aftab Uddin Sarkar and organizer Md. Zainal Abedin emphasized the urgent need for regular competitions, preservation of fields, and school-level encouragement. Ghoraghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Miz Rubana Tanzin acknowledged the issue, stating that coordinated local initiatives can be undertaken to protect and revive this integral part of rural culture before it vanishes completely.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Mostafizar Rahman Milon, Hili (Dinajpur) • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
