The British High Commission to Bangladesh hosted a colourful event for the Bangladesh girls’ team on Thursday, which will represent Bangladesh in the Street Child Football World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The UK Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka Javed Patel hosted a send-off event for the girls’ football team, is comprised of children who were all rescued from life on the streets, and now live at the LEEDO Peace Home in Dhaka.
During the event, the young guests shared stories of their time living on the street, and appealed to guests to help improve the life chances of other less fortunate children.
They were excited about the opportunity to meet two players from the Bangladesh U-19 National Football Team, Aklima Khatun and Halima Akhther, and talk to the professional players about their upcoming big game. They also showed off their footballing skills, and challenged the British Deputy High Commissioner to a ‘keepy-uppy’ contest!
High Commissioner Javed Patel said, “Ensuring 12 years of quality education for all children is at the centre of the UK’s drive to tackle poverty, promote gender equality, boost economic growth, and reduce conflict.”
“In Bangladesh, we are investing up to 54.5 million pounds over the next eight years to improve education outcomes for children, particularly girls and marginalised children. I wholly believe that sport is integral to a child’s education, and today we are proud to stand with the girls’ football team that will be representing Bangladesh on the international stage,” he added.
LEEDO (Local Education and Economic Development Organisation) is a not-for-profit, voluntary-based development organisation founded in 2000.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
