Fatema Akhtar becomes first Bangladeshi woman surfer to qualify for Asian Games

Fatema Akhtar has become the first Bangladeshi woman surfer to qualify for the Asian Games. Hailing from Maheshkhali, her family moved to Cox's Bazar town due to financial constraints. Her father sells betel leaf in Kalatali on the outskirts of the city to make a living.

As a child, she was terrified of the sea. However, with her father's encouragement and her coach's support, she learned to overcome her fear.

In 2017, while she was in the first grade, the first National Club Cup Surfing Tournament was held at Laboni Point in Cox's Bazar. In this national-level competition, Fatema beat older and more trained girls to win the championship in the women's category. It was her very first surfing competition, and she emerged as champion.

Under the supervision of Bangladesh Surf Girls and Boys Club coach Rashed Alam, Fatema is now training regularly with fellow surfer Mohammad Mannan. She is currently undergoing intensive training to prepare herself for the Asian Games.

The 20th Asian Games is scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in September. This will be the first time Bangladesh will participate in surfing at the Games. Ahead of that historic debut, Fatema's qualification as the country's first female surfer has opened new doors of possibility in Bangladesh's sporting arena.

Fatema is honing her skills through regular practice in the waves of Cox's Bazar. The young surfer is moving forward with the goal of not just performing well at the Asian Games but also achieving something memorable for the country.