In a poignant initiative designed to foster emotional recovery and collective resilience, Milestone School and College recently celebrated the “Milestone Sports Festival 2026”. Held at the institution’s Diabari campus, the event featured a guest appearance by the venerable veteran of the Bangladesh national cricket team, Mushfiqur Rahim. The festival sought to leverage the therapeutic power of sport to restore the mental well-being of a student body still healing from a significant tragedy.
A Journey Toward Emotional Recovery
The festival was specifically organised to bolster the psychological fortitude of students following the traumatic events that occurred at the college on 21 July 2025. According to the organisers, the primary mission was to replace lingering distress with vibrant, joyful memories through active physical participation.
The day began with a moving rendition of the national anthem, followed by the ceremonial release of pigeons—a universal gesture of peace and renewal. Ichiguchi Tomohide, the Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh, addressed the gathering, stating, “Participatory initiatives such as this are fundamental in rebuilding the inner strength of children.”
Distinguished Guests and Event Partners
| Representative | Designation | Organisation |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | Veteran National Cricketer | Bangladesh Cricket Team |
| Ichiguchi Tomohide | Chief Representative | JICA Bangladesh |
| Kenji Kimura | Managing Director | MUFG Bank Ltd. Bangladesh |
| Dr Niloy Ranjan Biswas | Executive Director | Ekmattra Society |
| Rifat Nabi Alam | Executive Principal | Milestone School and College |
Wisdom Shared on the Field
The atmosphere turned electric as Mushfiqur Rahim took to the pitch to participate in a friendly cricket match with the students. Eschewing the high-octane pressure of international fixtures, the match focused on the sheer delight of the game. Following the cricket, a “mini ball-throw” session saw students and guests competing side-by-side.
During his keynote address, Rahim offered a rare glimpse into the mindset of an elite athlete. “I have garnered my most vital life lessons from the matches I lost, rather than the ones I won,” he told the students, urging them to embrace failure as a catalyst for growth. He praised their discipline and spent considerable time answering their questions with trademark sincerity.
Fostering Long-Term Mental Growth
The festival also marked the formal inauguration of a Board Game Club, an initiative aimed at enhancing cognitive development and collaborative thinking. Kenji Kimura of MUFG Bank highlighted that strategic games are essential for honing problem-solving skills, while Dr Niloy Ranjan Biswas of Ekmattra Society noted that such creative outlets are “effective and positive mediums” for maintaining mental health.
The event was a collaborative effort between JICA Bangladesh and Milestone School and College, with Ekmattra Entrepreneurs Ltd. and MUFG Bank Ltd. Bangladesh providing vital support. It concluded as a powerful reminder that sports can serve as a bridge to healing and a beacon of hope for the future.