Dedicated to all members of the London Bangla Press Club

Sport is essential for maintaining physical and mental well-being. It also plays an important role in fostering friendship, goodwill, and solidarity among colleagues. The London Bangla Press Club organizes various sporting activities every year. However, the time has come to make these events more inclusive and diverse. None of us is in our early twenties anymore. Taking account of differences in age and physical ability, we should introduce competitions and activities that allow members to participate and enjoy themselves while minimizing the risk of injury.

Some time ago, our newsreader, fellow club member and recitation artist, Brother Salauddin Shaheen, was admitted to hospital after sustaining a head injury while playing sport. More recently, I heard about another member being injured during a game. Unfortunately, reports of such injuries surface from time to time. I have had my own share of painful experiences. I suffered knee pain for almost four years after playing football with my son. These experiences have convinced me that our annual sporting programme should give greater prominence to intellectual competitions alongside football, cricket and badminton.

The question is whether the Press Club’s activities should be confined to sport and professional training. Journalism is not merely a profession concerned with gathering and disseminating news; it is also a field that embraces knowledge, critical thinking, literature, culture and creativity. Viewed in this light, there is considerable scope for broadening the activities of the London Bangla Press Club.

What initiatives could be introduced?

1. Intellectual competitions

Alongside regular activities, the Club could organize chess, carrom, general knowledge contests, quizzes and word puzzles, with at least one major event each year. Quizzes covering Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, international politics, history, literature, and journalism would make the pursuit of knowledge both enjoyable and engaging for members.

2. Debates and impromptu speaking

Debates and impromptu speaking competitions could be organized on contemporary politics, economics, society, the media, and the impact of technology. Such activities would help members sharpen their reasoning, analytical abilities, and public speaking skills.

3. Literary activities and poetry recitals

The Club could organize poetry recitals, impromptu poetry writing, storytelling, essay and column-writing competitions, and theatrical activities. Regular literary discussions and creative writing workshops would help members develop their artistic talents.

4. Publishing a Press Club magazine

At least once a year, the Club could publish a high-quality literary and cultural magazine featuring members’ reports, analytical articles, memoirs, short stories, poems and essays. This would allow readers to discover the creative identities of journalists beyond their professional work.

5. Supporting members in publishing books

The Press Club could support members who write books by helping to organise book launches, discussion events, and promotional activities. Such initiatives would encourage emerging writers and help promote Bengali literature among the diaspora.

6. Entertainment and variety evenings

The Club could organize at least one entertainment evening a month featuring music, poetry, humor, reminiscences, exchanges of personal experiences and cultural performances. Such gatherings would provide hard-working journalists with opportunities to relax, enjoy themselves and strengthen their bonds with one another.

7. Journalism training and the exchange of experience

The Press Club occasionally organizes journalism training sessions, which is a very positive initiative. This program could be expanded to include workshops on investigative journalism, fact-checking, digital media, the use of artificial intelligence, and journalistic ethics. Opportunities should also be created for experienced and younger journalists to exchange knowledge and learn from one another.

8. Annual journalism awards

Introduce annual awards to recognize investigative reporting, outstanding news coverage, analytical writing, exceptional contributions to diaspora journalism, and achievements in literature and cultural activities. Such awards would encourage members, provided they were administered under transparent and impartial criteria.

9. Book clubs and knowledge-sharing sessions

Regular discussions could be held on significant books from Bangladesh and around the world, as well as on history, politics, economics, and current affairs. These gatherings could play an effective role in encouraging reading habits and fostering a culture of informed, evidence-based analysis among members.

10. Cycling

Members could form groups and organize weekly cycling outings in different parks, incorporating friendly competitions where appropriate. This would provide valuable exercise for both body and mind.

11. Group walks and friendly walking challenges

Members could form teams and explore London’s historic landmarks, parks and other places of interest on foot, either weekly or at least once a month. Small prizes could be awarded to the team that reaches the agreed destination first. Such activities would encourage physical exercise while allowing members to discover more of the city together.

Implementing these initiatives would not require substantial funding or elaborate arrangements. What is needed is goodwill, careful planning and the collective participation of members. An annual programme could be drawn up, setting out which activities would take place in each month. By allocating responsibilities according to members’ interests and abilities, many of these proposals could be put into practice.

The members of the London Bangla Press Club are not just journalists. Among them are writers, poets, recitation artists, cultural practitioners and people with experience and expertise in a wide range of fields. Making full use of their talents and experience would enrich the Club. At the same time, those who feel less comfortable taking part in physically demanding competitions because of their age or physical condition would have opportunities to remain actively involved through intellectual and cultural pursuits.

I propose that, starting next month, intellectual competitions and cultural activities should be incorporated into the Club’s programme in a planned and systematic way, alongside sport. Journalism training should continue, but so should literary activities, book publishing, debates, the pursuit of knowledge and the development of creative talent.

The strength of a press club lies not merely in the number of its members, but in their knowledge, ideas, creativity and collective achievements. Let sport bring us joy, and let intellectual and cultural pursuits enrich us. This should be the commitment that guides the London Bangla Press Club in the years ahead.

The author is an Editor, columnist, analyst, short-story writer, and former College lecturer.

London, 11 October 2026