Born into a rural, conservative, and poverty-stricken family in Bangladesh, daring to become an athlete seemed impossible. But Sultana Parvin Lovely had the resilience she needed to unlock every door to become Bangladesh's “Fastest Woman” a remarkable seven times.
As the eldest of four children in a rural village in Khulna, Sultana’s arrival was met with disapproval from her father, who, steeped in traditional beliefs, considered daughters a burden. Rejected by her own teenage mother at birth, she spent her early years under the care of her grandmother and aunt, reports UNB.
At the age of seven, Sultana was brought back to her family home in Khulna, where poverty became an inescapable reality. Forced to abandon her education temporarily in the fourth grade, she joined her father in the fields, literally pulling the plow alongside their only ox to cultivate their land.
It was during a school sports day that Sultana’s innate athletic talent was discovered. She effortlessly outpaced her competitors in the 100-meter race, igniting a passion for running that would shape her life. Driven by a fierce desire to overcome her family's hardship and fueled by the tragic loss of her younger sister due to poverty and lack of medical care, Sultana sought opportunities to compete.
Donning a borrowed jersey and running barefoot, she dominated races at local events, drawing the attention of officials from Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC).
“Where did she come from?” some officials screamed in joy, she said, referring to her unknown origin and her extraordinary running skill.
Offered a job as a worker based on her athletic prowess, she embarked on a grueling training regimen, traveling 35 kilometers each day to practice at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.
“Boys would make suggestive comments, tease me, throw stones at me, and make obscene gestures when I left the house wearing a tracksuit,” Sultana recalled her days of struggle when she faced such harsh treatment on her way to practice ground and home wearing sports clothes.
Her dedication paid off. In 1992, at the age of 16, Sultana earned the prestigious title of “Fastest Woman in Bangladesh,” a feat she would repeat seven times throughout her career. She went on to represent her country in 25 international competitions, securing an impressive 45 gold medals at the national level. In 2016, her outstanding contributions to athletics were recognized with the National Sports Award.
“I believe there are many talented athletes in Bangladesh. Things are much easier now than they were in our time. If they receive proper support, I believe there is potential for many more like me to emerge,” said in a recent interview with UNB.
Sultana's journey was fraught with challenges. She faced societal disapproval for pursuing a career in athletics, enduring ridicule, harassment, and even threats from conservative villagers who considered her chosen path inappropriate for a woman. But she persevered, finding unwavering support from her mother, whose encouragement and belief in her dreams became a source of strength.
Today, Sultana, married to former footballer Kamruzzaman Selim, is a mother of two and a successful professional, working as an assistant coordination officer at BJMC in Khulna. She continues to give back to the sport, serving as a judge for the Bangladesh Athletics Federation and mentoring aspiring athletes, hoping to inspire a new generation of women to pursue their dreams.
