Swim of struggle in life's ocean

Mahfuza's mother used to call her ‘duck’ as she spent hours and days swimming in water bodies. When the mother's scolding was not working anymore from stopping her, stick was used to drive her out of water.

Now, Mahfuza has created history in water. She became the first Bangladesh woman to win a gold medal in swimming. After her first gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke category last Sunday, Mahfuza offered another inspiring performance by sealing the first spot in the 50m breaststroke category, meaning another gold medal for her on Monday.

It is amazing to see how a girl from the remote area of Abhaynagar in Jessore could earn so much of fame in sports, especially swimming. As if she is saying to other girls, “If I can, why can’t you!”

Mahfuza had to succeed because she struggled throughout her life. Once her family was well established in the village. Now they have only a piece of land on which their house is built. The family has no land for farming.

Her father donated a large piece of land in which a primary school and a secondary school are built. Ahmed Gazi also donated another piece of land to a local mosque and a madrasa.

So Mahfuza’s fight was not limited to the swimming pool. Her father Ahmed Gazi was not interested in educating his children. Sensing her interest in swimming, Mahfuza’s neighbour Habibur Rahman informed sports organiser Abdul Mannan, also the current manager of Bangladesh swimming team, about the talent of Mahfuza.

Mahfuza got admission to sports institution 'Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP)' with the help of Abdul Mannan in 2003. She started taking part in swimming competitions when she was in class III.

From there, Mahfuza completed her Master's degree in communications and journalism from the Chittagong University. She also won a number of awards in different swimming competitions. She also got three medals in the Indo-Bangladesh games.

The girl quickly understood that swimming is not only her passion, but it will also give her and her family a better life. She helped her family with the money she got from swimming.

The festive mood in Mahfuza’s home continued as the correspondent witnessed the jubilation during a visit to Abhaynagar on Tuesday. People of the village are coming to her home with sweetmeats. The trophies and medals Mahfuza won in swimming earlier are kept on a table outside her home, so that everyone can see those.

Mahfuza’s father Ahmed Gazi said, “She is really precious for me. I lost everything, but my daughter made me this house. She did it with the money she got from swimming.”

Their neighbour Habibur Rahman said, “Mahfuza is not only her father’s pride, she is pride of our village. The villagers are distributing sweetmeats among themselves.”

Mahfuza has now become the pride of her country as well.