VAB Schools in Sports

Sweeping Performance of VAB Schools in Sports

VAB schools attained outstanding performance at the upazila (sub-district) level in the recently held 49th Bangladesh National School and Madrasa Winter Sports Competition – 2019. The accomplishments of VAB schools spanned a wide array of diverse sports and athletic events in Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira disrict, and in a number of events, they swept the top positions.

These VAB schools are mostly disadvantaged rural schools, and did not have any culture of sports and athletics in the past worth noting. Particularly for girl students, it was inconceivable to have a Girls’ Team in any sport, specifically, team sports like Cricket and Football (Soccer).These schools competed with the urban schools and the relatively well-off rural schools in the upazila. One of the high-performing schools, Kathalbaria AG Secondary School, was devastated by the recent cyclone “Bulbul”, and for a long period after the cyclone, students had to attend open air classes.

When VAB started working with these schools in the early- to mid-2010s, one of its programs focused on co-curricular activities aiming to create a dynamic and improved learning environment which is expected to lead to excellence in academic performance. Sports, along with debating, English and volunteering, are the areas where VAB Students’ Clubs are now active vigorously.

In the National Competition, Kathalbaria was Champion in Boys’ Cricket, and Runner-Up in Girls’ Cricket, Girls’ Volleyball, and Girls’ Badminton Singles and Doubles. Safirunnessa Girls’ High School won the Championship in Girls’ Cricket, Volleyball, Basketball, and Badminton Singles and Doubles. Other VAB schools which were successful are TripaniBidyapith (Champion in Boys’ Volleyball and Runner-Up in Boys’ Cricket), and BhuruliaNagbatiSecondary School (Runner-Up in Boys’ Volleyball).

The success of VAB schools was equally impressive in Track and Field Events. Safirunnessa which is an older school and has been with VAB since 2012 accomplished in an outstanding manner in the past three years. This time, it swept the top positions in Girls competition in “Ka Division” in 100 and 200 Meter Runs, Long Jump, Shot Put and Javelin Throw and in “Kha Division” in 200 Meter Run, Long Jump and High Jump. ZobedaShohrab Model High School took the First Position in Girls’ 100 Meter Run in the “Kha Division”.

In the Boys’ Competition, Kathalbaria was First in 100 Meter Run and Long Jump in the “Ka Division”, and in 100 Meter Run in the “Kha Division”. The First Position was taken by Henchi Bangabandhu Secondary School in Shot Put in both “Ka” and “Kha Divisions”, and by Bhurulia in Discus Throw.

VAB schools holding top positions at the upazila level will move to the district level. However, disadvantaged rural schools face hindrances, particularly due to lack of resources. There is an additional impediment for girl students – many parents are reluctant to allow girls to travel away from home.

Quality education for the underprivileged in rural Bangladesh.

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