It was only a couple of decades ago that rural people used to participate in traditional games like hadudu, kabadi, lathikhela (stick playing), shaapkhela (snake charming). Over time, however, interest in these games has dwindled and they are now being replaced by modern western games.

Some elderly people at Khalishpur Bazar in Moheshpur upazila said thousands of people earlier used to witness traditional games throughout the year. Influential people of each village used to arrange such games on their own courtyards after the harvesting of paddy, jute, sugarcane and other cash crops.

Mazibar Rahman, a resident of the village, said the organizers of such games used to arrange a massive amount of costly food items on those occasions. The winners in those games were also honoured with gold, silver, and bronze medals for their performances by judges in those competitions.

Last Thursday, Hadudu, a traditional rural game, was arranged by villagers on the ground of Srirampur Government Primary School at Kaliganj in Jhenidah. This game was enjoyed by about a hundred people. The organisers said the rural game was not only a game to them, but also a very important social occasion. It is a means and way to unite the villagers. It also helps strengthen ties among them. Locals say the government should arrange rural and traditional games to restore peace, tranquility, and prosperity, patronising the traditional games for a better brotherhood among the people.

Jhenidah Government Keshab Chandra (KC) College principal Prof. BM Rezaul Karim said the traditional games might  save the young generation from degradation of moral values and involvement in unethical activities.