Bangladesh’s contribution to FIFA world cup 2022

FIFA World Cup is the most exciting and prestigious event in the football world. After four years of waiting, the curtain of this exciting event has been raised in Qatar. On November 21, colorful fireworks rang in the sky of Doha. 

However, even if there is no Bangladesh team, the people of the country are on the stage of the World Cup. The name Bangladesh is somehow involved in the organization of the World Cup, known as the 'Greatest Show on Earth, from the field to the field, in every case. Starting from the construction of the stadium, the t-shirts worn by the officials, coordinating the referees, or the medical system of the field, Bangladeshi expatriates are contributing everywhere.

On the occasion of the World Cup-2022, thousands of spectators-supporters, players, FIFA officials and millions of tourists have flocked. Several luxury hotels have been built for their comfort. The name Bangladesh is intimately involved in the security, hospitality, and transport sector and service sector after the World Cup in this event.

Contribution of Bangladesh

A large number of expatriate Bangladeshis are working in this oil-rich Middle Eastern country and their contribution to the country's economy is undeniable. The sweat and blood of expatriate workers associated with the football festival in the heart of the desert. Thousands of workers have migrated to Qatar over the past few years to make the World Cup a success. The purpose is to work on infrastructure construction in Qatar on the occasion of the World Cup. Due to the development of infrastructure in Qatar and the construction of eight stadiums built for the World Cup, the Qatar government has already built a 'flag plaza' where the Bangladeshi flag has also been placed.  Qatar has rewarded the dignity of expatriate workers.

In the last 10 years, Qatar has undertaken all the unimaginable projects to host the Football World Cup, known as the "Greatest Show on Earth". Communications and accommodation arrangements have been overhauled. 2 million expatriate workers of Qatar are the protagonists in making the mega projects of about 18 lakh crore takas, a reality. Most of which are Bangladeshis. The result of their hard work is a luxury hotel, Doha Metro, tram, airport and a whole new city, Lusail. 

They have worked tirelessly to make the big event a success. Tall buildings have been constructed in different cities in Qatar. The airport has been built to facilitate transportation. New roads have been constructed along with repairing old roads to ensure passenger service. The sweat of Bangladeshi workers is mixed with every such work.

Surprising but true, the clothing industry of Bangladesh is, directly contributing to this part of this thrilling event. It is a matter of pride that 600,000 pieces of official t-shirts have been produced in Chittagong, Bangladesh for the World Cup in Qatar. Made in Bangladesh jerseys will be worn by FIFA officials, referees, ball-boys, and many spectators in the gallery while working at a total of eight venues in five cities. Football fans all over the world can see these clothes made in our country. Five types of t-shirts are being made for different age groups. To keep the reputation of the country intact, the workers made these special clothes with the utmost compassion. 

Sonnet Textile Industries Ltd. has taken the country to a unique height by manufacturing cloth worth about 13 crores for export. These jerseys are exported from Bangladesh through the Moscow-based buyer organization Sports Master. In addition to proving itscapability in the clothing sector, it is a great honor for the country that Bangladeshi clothing is being used in major events like the World Cup. In addition to jerseys, Bangladesh has the ability to supply any sportswear including jackets, caps, socks, gloves, trousers, shorts, and other World Cup football accessories. Earlier,the famous garments industry of Bangladesh supplied 4.5 lakhspiece of jackets for the 2018 Russia World Cup and 4 lakhs pieces for the Euro Cup in 2018. These jerseys made through the tireless work of the garment workers of Bangladesh deserve worldwideappreciation. 

Bangladeshis will also contribute to keeping the players healthy in this world's biggest football event. Bangladeshi female doctor Ayesha Parveen will serve as the chief doctor on the field during the World Cup game at 974 Stadium, one of the venues of the World Cup in Qatar. Earlier, this doctor has experience working as a physician at the same venue in FIFA Arab Cup in 2021.

Among eight stadiums in Qatar World Cup, the 'Education City Stadium' located in Al-Rayyan city is one of them which the name Bangladesh is also associated with. Because Qatar expatriate engineer Washikur Rahman Shubo has played a special role in the construction of the stadium. He served as structural chief engineer in its construction.

The name of Bangladesh is also directly associated with the match officials of the World Cup. Mohammad Shiakat Ali, a son of Bangladesh will work as the coordinator of the referees assigned to manage the match in the Greatest Show on Earth. 36 referees, 69 assistant referees and 24 video match officials will be coordinated by him.

Volunteers are called 'The Heart of the Tournament' in Qatar World Cup. Where more than four hundred Bangladeshi volunteers are representing Bangladesh as FIFA official volunteers.

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar will last for about a month from November 20 to December 18. At this time, it is estimated that about 1.5 million people from different countries of the world will visit Qatar. Among the many service workers in Qatar, driving will be at the forefront of welcoming football fans to the country. In this area some 8,000 of them — employed by taxi companies and ride-hailing services — are Bangladeshis. They received special language, etiquette, and culture training.

The whole area including the stadium is being beautified by the contribution of many Bangladeshis besides the workers engaged in the construction of the infrastructure to implement this huge project. More than a thousand Bangladeshis had to give their lives to make the organization of the Greatest Show on Earth a success. Many did not get fair work and adequate leave. According to an investigative report by the English media The Guardian, more than 6,000 migrant workers died after the start of World Cup work. Out of which the number of Bangladeshis is 1, 018.

In short, the contribution of expatriate Bangladeshis is involved in every aspect of the implementation of football World Cup activities and infrastructure development in Qatar. Even if Bangladesh is not in the World Cup football, the holder of the Bangladesh flag is still there. A piece of Bangladesh's glory will adorn the faces of various nations on the grand stage of Qatar. A tag, 'Made in Bangladesh' will shine in its glory on the back of the T-shirt. All Bangladeshis in country or outside the country are feeling proud that the name of Lal Sabuj is associated with the Greatest Show on earth.

By: Kamal Uddin Mazumder

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