For the first time in Panchagarh, an initiative has been taken to watch the Bangladesh-Singapore football match of the SAFF Asian Cup qualifiers live on a big screen. Although the match was organized to be shown in different places in the district, there was a festive atmosphere in Tentulia. Football fans of all ages enjoyed this long-awaited match.
On Tuesday (June 10) evening, arrangements were made to watch the game on a big screen at the Government Pilot High School ground in Tentulia Upazila Sadar by the Tentulia Titans Club. People of all ages, young and old, gathered at the ground from different parts of the upazila to watch the game. Since evening, spectators have flocked to the ground, and the school premises have instantly turned into a gathering place.
Local residents said that arrangements have been made to watch the game on a big screen during the World Cup football season before, but such a big arrangement centered around a national team match has never been seen before.
Abu Sayeed Sumon, general secretary of Tentulia Titans Club, said, “We want the people of the village to also be able to share in the joy of the country’s game. The people of Tentulia love football—this arrangement is out of that love.”
Spectator Russell Hasan said, “Everyone, including their families, is coming here to watch the game, it’s a source of pride for our village. I’ve never seen a national team match like this before.”
Another spectator named Ariful Islam said,
“The feeling of being on the field during the game is completely different. Everyone is shouting and clapping together—it feels like I’m in the stadium.”
Child Fahim Hasan said he came to watch the game with his father. There was a glimmer of excitement and joy in his eyes.
The organizers said that in the future, they will try to show any important match of the national team on the big screen. They also said that this will not only increase the joy of the game, but also increase patriotism and interest in sports among the new generation.
Locals believe that such an event can be a great means of not only entertainment but also social bonding. This initiative to bring the country’s representative international matches to the local level is being appreciated by people from all walks of life.
