Unstoppable speed forged by a basic desire

12-year-old Sonia Akhter drew the applause of thousands as she finished top among 30 jockeys in one of Bengal's traditional events, the ancient competition of horse racing,.

The only female amongst the lot and driven by the need to bear the expenses for her education, she stormed to the five-mile finish line "at unstoppable speed, well ahead of the pack", according to chief guest Abdul Qadir Laskar, Chunarughat Upazila Parishad Chairman.

The competition was organized by the locals of Shailghat in Chunarughat upazila of the Habiganj district on Saturday. Competitors came from all over including from Satkhira, Bogura, Tangail and Habiganj and brought with them thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

Sonia said that continuing her education had been uncertain due to her family's financial situation, so she has been competing in behalf of others in exchange for compensation.

She added that she was now bearing the cost of her own education and lending a helping hand to her family.

Sonia's father Matiur Rahman said that he had traveled with the sixth-grader from Bakla village of Gomstapur in Chapainawabganj.

He added that his daughter began watching the events at the age of six and absorbed knowledge, assisted by a close relative.

Sonia raced on behalf of Abul Hashem from the village of Sakhipur in the district of Tangail. Hashem's patronage to others also frosted rewards as his other hickeys finished scooped second and third and for their efforts won a refrigerator and television.

Former Chunarughat Upazila chairman Abu Taher said that once there were lots of horses in the area and competition thrived. He lamented that it now finds itself on the brink of extinction.