A sports tournament and cultural event for young Santal people took place at the Seventh-Day Adventist Pre-Seminary School in Tallapara village, Gobibdaganj Upazila.

The Abalamban Foundation, a non-profit organization in the area, hosted an event with support from the European Union, Plan International, and Article 19.

The event concluded with a ceremony at the school today, led by Maria Murmu, a leader of the local indigenous community.

Among the speakers were Probir Chakrabarty, the head of Abamban Foundation; teacher Ahaduzzaman Rimu; Najma Begum, a prominent female leader; Sajeda Parveen Runu, a former councillor; Golam Rabbani Musa, who heads the Adibashi-Bangali Sanghati Parishad Sadar Upazila unit; and Hasan Morshed Dipon, from the Samazik Sangram Parishad.

They emphasized the urgent issue of small ethnic groups in the region facing possible extinction. They brought attention to the worries of the local people, such as the disappearance of traditions, financial struggles, and lack of ownership over land. They requested the authorities to promptly implement effective measures to safeguard the language and customs of these groups.

This included a request to create a new department specifically focused on the well-being of native populations. After the event, trophies and awards were given to the champions of the different contests.