Chittagong Express Open 2015: Debate by the Sea

Imagine debating against finalists of international debate tournaments. Get out of your comfort zone, team up with someone who might not be from your school, face your idols and drastically improve your debate skills. That's the experience that open debate tournaments give you.

Chittagong School Debaters' Association (CSDA) organised their first ever signature tournament named "Chittagong Express Open 2015". Merak was its title sponsor while Shout was the strategic partner. The tournament was held on September 11-12, 2015. The aim was to bridge the gap between debaters from Dhaka and Chittagong. The tournament had 22 teams participating, of which 5 were from Dhaka.

An excellent panel of adjudicators, both from Dhaka and Chittagong, were present to ensure the excellence of the tournament's judging quality. The Chief Adjudication Core was led by Shaadmaan Ahmed Siddiqui from Institute of Business Administration – Dhaka University, Asif Mehedi Adi from North South University, Tausif Ahmed from University of Chittagong, Symum Ossharohi from Premier University, and Pavel Mohammed from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology. The tab director of this tournament was Tanvir Ahmad Siddiqui from Premier University.

The tournament consisted of 5 preliminary qualifying rounds followed by a break to semi finals and a grand finale. The debaters debated on a wide range of topics such as "This House would ban opinion poll", "This House believes that children who weren't vaccinated by their parents due to religious/cultural reasons have the right to sue them". It was extremely rewarding for all judges to see how deeply debaters could think critically on such complicated issues that have often baffled the highest experts in their own work.

"There is a lack of initiative to organise English debate tournaments in Chittagong where school kids can take part. We want to debate on the same scale as university students do, but we lack debate coaches and opportunities," said Marjuck Raiyan, a debater from Cantonment English School and College Debating Club. As a co-host of this tournament, he looks forward to more debate tournaments in Chittagong.

The motion of the grand finale of Chittagong Express Open 2015 was "This House believes that the ICC would prosecute countries that have the capability but unwilling to take refugees". The motion was hotly contested by the teams 'Modern Family' composing of Aaqib Farhan Hossain, Fardeen Ameen and Zefroon Afsary, and 'Independent University of Bangladesh' composing of Tahsin Islam, Samiul Alam andAbdullah Ratul. The round was chaired by Shaadmaan Ahmed Siddiqui. Eventually Modern Family was declared the champion and Aaqib Farhan Hossain was named the best speaker of the tournament. The winning team and the best speaker of the tournament were awarded with prize money.

On asking how debating outside Dhaka felt, Mukitur Reza, a debater from North South University said, "I needed a break from the hectic life in Dhaka. A weekend spent debating and exploring Chittagong in this chilly weather was the perfect package." 

This tournament gave the opportunity for many new young debaters from Chittagong to come across legends of the Bangladesh debate circuit. If not any, this event ignited the enthusiasm for debating at an early age. CSDA promises to come back with more such events.

Myat Moe is an occasional philosopher whose favourite pastime is confusing people with her nationality. Reach her at 145michelle@gmail.com