The Government yesterday decided to ban exports of the much-adored Hilsha fish from Bangladesh for at least six months, with a view to reducing its high price in the domestic market during the current peak season resulted from the supply constraints. An inter-ministerial meeting took the decision as in the recent days huge quantity of Hilsha known as the' king of fish' to the Bangalees of both Bangladesh and the West Bengal of India for its delicious and unique taste have been exported to India at a price which is lower than the domestic sales price.
Bangladesh is the top Hilsha producing country and this year the production is higher than that of the previous years due to the ban imposed on catching of Jatka (Hilsha having a length of 6 inches or less) during the breeding season.
Livestock and Fisheries ministry adviser Dr CS Karim who chaired the meeting told newsmen that though the amount of Hilsha yield this year is higher than that of the previous year, yet due to the massive exports of it to India, domestic market was experiencing a supply crisis during the ongoing peak season. He hoped that the decision to ban the export would reduce the prices of Hilsha in the domestic market.
The meeting was also told that in April this year 6700 KGs of Hilsha were exported to India at 2.5 US dollar per KG whereas the price of it in the local market is nearly 5 US dollar per KG.
The meeting also asked the joint forces, BDR and Coast Guard to prevent the smuggling of Hilsha following the imposition of this ban.
Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation and Fisheries Department would monitor the prices of Hilsha in the local markets to assess the impact of the ban, the meeting decided.
‘Abahani’ is a well known name in the Bangladeshi sports world. Today Abahani is a large, very popular sports club. They have a huge number of fans, supporters, and well-wishers spread all over the country. Abahani didn’t take long to put themselves into that position. They earned the glory and the honor in an amazingly short period of time. It was possible by displaying their quality, highly skilled and magical performances on the field; and of course, it was all about soccer. Abahani is the founder of modern soccer in Bangladesh. They have always been a very strong side in every soccer tournament. They are one of the two giants in the country’s sporting arena. They have gained the same prestigious positions in cricket and hockey as well. “Abahani Limited” used to be known to people as “Abahani Krira Chakra”, and before that, it was called “Abahani social welfare co-operative”.
Abahani was not the result of any long term plan. However, Abahani formulated a number of long term plans and brought them to fruition as a part of their contribution to the country’s sports. That is the basic structure of today’s Abahani Limited. Abahani’s birth was prompted by an individual instance. Forty one years ago, in 1966, the former Pakistan Government suddenly decided to use the playground next to 22 Dhanmondi (today’s Abahani field) in Dhaka city for residential buildings. Local students, teenagers, and young players had been using this ground for everyday practice and other activities for a long time. This playground meant a lot to them. They all stood united against the Government’s decision. At a certain point, young student political leaders encouraged the protesters and eventually got involved into the protests, too. The whole thing turned into a social movement. Finally, the Government had to step back from their plan under this pressure. That’s how the playground stayed as it was and became Abahani field later on.
After this movement, it was necessary and demanded by the time to form an organization to hold the unity among everyone. That’s how “Abahani social welfare co-operative” began. Literature, culture, and sports – these were the three major sections that Abahani started with. Abahani’s victory over the Pakistan Govt. caught the eyes of the political leaders. Harun ur Rashid (the general secretary of the club later and now one of the directors), one of the protesters, personally knew Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu very often gave advice and guidelines to carry this club toward a bright future. Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal, two sons of Bangabandhu, got involved with Abahani at this point. With Kamal’s true affection to sports and Bangabandhu’s proper guidance, Abahani got a new life. At Kamal’s suggestion, Abahani arranged a cricket tournament in honor of Tofazzal Hossain (Manik Mia) [founder editor of the daily ittefaq]. This was their first tournament. It was before the Bangladesh liberation war. The liberation war took place at the end of that tournament. A number of brave hearted Abahani club members including Sheikh Kamal, joined the battle of liberation in 1971.
Abahani started their journey again after the glory of independence. Since Abahani was starting to focus exclusively on its various sporting activities, Kamal proposed to reform Abahani as a sports club. Everyone else agreed with him. That’s how “Abahani Krira Charka” was formed. However, Abahani faced great obstacles to their joining the Dhaka soccer league. By the rules and regulations, any team who wants to participate in the league, has to qualify by playing and winning third and second division soccer leagues. Abahani did not have any experience playing either of these leagues, but this was not enough to stop them. Abahani found a good way out. There used to be a non-bengali club, called “Iqbal Sporting Club” in Mohammadpur. Most of the officials of this club were involved in anti-Bangladesh activities during the war. Therefore, after independence almost all of their executives were gone. Iqbal sporting club had only a few Bengali officials and clerks, but they helped and played effective roles when the Abahani and Iqbal sporting clubs were unified. After that there were no more worries about Abahani’s enlistment in the league. In a similar way Abahani started hockey and cricket too. The “Ispahani sect” officially proposed that Abahani manage and direct their hockey and cricket club under Abahani’s name. Abahani officials accepted their offer. That was a good turn in Abahani’s journey. After getting their chances in the three major sports, Abahani tent in Dhanmondi was full of happiness.
Abahani wanted their players to be confident about their paychecks. They offered a generous amount of money to the players. They wanted the players to take sports as a profession, not just entertainment. That’s why Abahani had kick starts in all of the three (soccer, cricket, hockey) major leagues when they started. They had a good collection of talented and skillful players on their teams. Therefore, they were able to get the desired result. In 1973 they were runners-up in the soccer league and held third position in hockey. Next season, in 1974 Abahani was champion in all three leagues, which really brought them into the front row. After that, Abahani did not have to look back any more. Abahani has made great contributions in modernizing Bangladeshi sports. Abahani presented and introduced a number of new ideas and styles into our country’s sports. It enriched Bangladeshi sport’s glamour. Foreign players have been playing in the Dhaka soccer league for decades, but Abahani tried something different. They began hiring players who performed in FIFA world cup soccer. Other big clubs in Dhaka could not do this before Abahani did. In 1987, Abahani surprised everyone by hiring Karim Mohammad and Samir Shakir. They were from the Iraqi national soccer team which played in the world cup. Also Sri Lankan Layones Pirich, Pakir Ali, Prem Lal, Najar Ali, Russian Sergi Moiechiv… played in Dhaka Abahani for several seasons. Later on, Samir Shakir even coached the Abahani soccer team.
Also, in Bangladeshi cricket, foreign players used to mean sub-continental players only. Abahani broke this cycle in 1993-94 when English national cricket team member Neil Fairbrother and Ellingworth came to Dhaka to play for Abahani. Another English national player, Defrites played on the Dhaka Abahani cricket team also. The list of star players that played in Dhaka Abahani is quite long. Pakistani Wasim Akram, Basit Ali, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hossen, Iqbal Sekander, Naved Anjum, Jahoor Elahi; Sri Lankan Delip Mendis, Ashoka de Silva, Samara Sefera; Indian Romon Lamba, Ajay Jadeja, Arun Lal….a lot of star players in world cricket came to play for Abahani. Abahani is not behind in hockey either. High class standard players like Indian Dhanraj Pellai, Abu Baki; Pakistani Kamar Ibrahim…played in the Dhaka hockey league wearing Abahani’s blue-yellow jersey.
Abahani constantly makes star players for Bangladesh national teams. Talented players like Kazi Salauddin, Asraf Chunnu, Amili, Mohsin, Monem Munna, Rumi, Satyajit Das Rupu, Mamun Joarder, Zakir Hossain, Dhonu, Aslam, Nazrul, Arif Khan Joy… kept the Abahani tent and national team happy all the time. Abahani’s Amlesh Sen is a legend to those who are just starting soccer coaching in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi cricket found promising crickers like Gazi Asraf Lipu, Golam Nowsher Prince, Minhazul Abedin Nannu, Akram Khan, Khaled Masud Pilot, Naimur Rahman Durjoy…from Abahani. All of these men gained respect and made our country’s name brighter in worlds of soccer and cricket.
Abahani has very impressive statistics. There are no domestic tournaments (soccer, cricket, and hockey) where Abahani did not perform and could not win the championship. Abahani is the very first unbeaten champion in Dhaka soccer league history. It’s astonishing that Abahani was also the first to win hat trick championships in all of the three (soccer, cricket, and hockey) different leagues. In the hockey league, it was in the 1974-75, 1975-76, and 1977-78 seasons (there was no league in 1976-77). In cricket, 1984-85, 1985-86, and 1986-87; and in the soccer league, 1984, 1985, and 1986 Abahani won hat trick championships. Later on, they won hat trick hockey championship again in 1987-88, 1988-89, (there was no league in 1989-90) and 1990-91 (jointly champion).
Abahani won a number of international championships and brought respect for our country. In 1989-90, Abahani won the “Nagjee cup” soccer tournament in India, also in 1994 they were unbeaten champions in both “Charms cup”, and “Invitation cup” soccer tournament in Calcutta. Abahani was also champion in the prestigious “BTC club cup tournament” at Dhaka in 1991. The six top ranked soccer clubs from both Bengals (East Bengal, Mohunbagan, Mohamedan from West Bengal and Brothers Union, Mohamedan, Abahani from Bangladesh) had played in this tournament.
In our country, usually a sports club runs on donations from businessmen or by the sponsorship money from Government executives. Abahani is very different from other clubs in this respect. Abahani has found some great hearted sports organizers in their long, progressive journey. People like Salman F Rahman, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Kazi Shahed Ahmed, Ajan Chowdhury, Pintu, A H M Mostafa Kamal, Harun ur Rashid, Afzalur Rahman Sinha, Ali Asgar Lobi…. they have altruistic love for the Abahani club. They have always helped Abahani to get over any obstacles. Indeed, an infinite amount of love will always remain for our favorite club, Abahani, from fans and supporters all over the world.
The Government yesterday decided to ban exports of the much-adored Hilsha fish from Bangladesh for at least six months, with a view to reducing its high price in the domestic market during the current peak season resulted from the supply constraints. An inter-ministerial meeting took the decision as in the recent days huge quantity of Hilsha known as the' king of fish' to the Bangalees of both Bangladesh and the West Bengal of India for its delicious and unique taste have been exported to India at a price which is lower than the domestic sales price.
