Minds on duty, hearts left at home

More often than not, the professional commitment denies Bangladesh athletes the possibility to savour the festive occasions with their family or beloved ones. Although the national cricketers are assumed to be the ones who mostly have to spend Eid away from home, it is not uncommon for the players from other disciplines as well. Weightlifter Mabia Akter Simanta and archer Diya Siddique have experienced staying abroad on Eid, and both of them had a tough time in recollecting any fond memories on such occasions.

"I was out of Bangladesh in 2018, but Eid did not feel like Eid. I took a new dress to put on for the occasion but did not feel like it as I missed my father. Then I realized the importance of being with family members," recollected Mabia, with whom archer Diya resonates.

"Last year, I had to partake in the Tokyo Olympics during Eid, and it was pretty much colourless as everybody went there to play. Over video call, I got in touch with my family members, and that was it," Diya said.  Mabia, a gold medal winner in 2016 South Asian Games, went through hardships in her early days, after which the success had transformed her life's landscape.

"When I was a kid, I was content with what my father had bought for me, but now I can buy almost anything I want. Still, I miss going to market with my father before Eid during Ramadan," Mabia said as she moved on to share an Eid-related anecdote that she finds amusing. "I don't know whether it can be described as a funny experience or not, that I have to buy clothes at higher prices during Eid festivals. The shopkeepers are like, 'Apu, you have the ability, so why won't you give us?'

"For example, I end up buying a dress with 2500 taka, which can be bought for 2000 taka," added Mabia, who has been practising hard of late to regain fitness since coronavirus-induced lockdowns had seized much time away from her.

On the bright side, the pandemic brought some positives for the weightlifter as she could be with her family during Eid.

"I got to prepare well enough before Eid and during lockdowns because ever since my career started 12 years back, I never had that much scope to be with my family. Now, I am in the camp for the Commonwealth Games, starting next July, and focusing more on my training," she informed.

[Related read: Everyone becomes a cricket expert during Eid, where Bangladesh women's cricket team captain shares her Eid-related experience]

Diya, who became an Olympian in 2021 in Tokyo, also concentrates more on training, than planning for Eid, as she is scheduled to head for Iraq to participate in a tournament in next month's first week. "I won't be able to go home to celebrate the occasion with my family members. I have a trial just before Eid and will leave Bangladesh for Iraq to take part in the 2022 Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament Stage-2."

Diya tries her best to keep her chin up when tours happen to overlap festivals. However, she is one of many who reckon that Eid's charm is not quite the same as it was during childhood.

"I try to entertain myself and stay happy and smiling while away. But Eid in childhood was too much fun, and those moments cannot be replaced by any other means," said the teenager, who clinched silver in the Archery World Cup last year to create history for Bangladesh.

[Related read: My Eid starts soon after I reach home - based on footballer Jibon's side of things]

[Related read: The many shades of Eid - focuses on the Tigers' point of view]