Adiba Arshi Bandhan, a ninth-grade student of Matiranga Girls’ High School in Khagrachhari, has secured the runner-up position in chess at the national level in the secondary school category of the 53rd Summer National Sports Competition 2026.

The closing ceremony and prize distribution of the competition, organized by the Bangladesh National School, Madrasa and Technical Education Sports Association, was held at the auditorium of Cumilla Government Women’s College on Saturday (October 10).

Under the theme “Building the Nation Through Sporting Excellence, Bangladesh First,” the event was presided over by Professor Md. Ahsan Parvez, chairman of the Cumilla Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education. Professor Dr. Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, attended as the chief guest and handed over prizes to the winners.

Earlier, Bandhan emerged as champion in the sub-regional (Chattogram) competition on September 20 and the regional competition involving the Chattogram, Cumilla and Sylhet divisions on October 3. Both competitions were held at Chattogram Nasirabad Government High School.

Bandhan is the daughter of businessman Mostafa Kamal of Babupara in Matiranga Municipality. She is the elder of two sisters. She received a talent-pool scholarship in Grade Five from Matiranga Banshree Vidya Niketan in 2022 and enrolled in Grade Six at Matiranga Girls’ High School in 2023.

Alongside her studies, she learned chess from her parents, who have continued to encourage her. So far, she has won 14 championships at the upazila and district levels, as well as at sub-regional and regional competitions.

“I learned chess from my parents, who have always encouraged me. I would have been even happier if I had become the national champion. I will continue playing chess alongside my studies. I want to become a doctor in the future,” Bandhan said.

Her father, Kamal Hossain, said he also plays chess and encourages his daughter to pursue the game. He believes sports help children stay away from antisocial activities and mobile phone addiction. Expressing joy over his daughter’s achievement, he sought everyone’s prayers for her continued academic success and a bright future.

Abul Hashem, headteacher of Matiranga Girls’ High School, described Bandhan as a polite, well-mannered and talented student. He said her achievement was a source of pride for her parents, school and Matiranga.

“She is a pride of Matiranga Girls’ High School. She has won around 18 awards at the upazila, district and national levels so far. We wish her continued success and a bright future,” the headteacher said.