The country's first International Airlines Football Championship (AFC) 2026 kicked off in Dhaka on Friday, with the ambassadors of Brazil and Argentina highlighting football's role in promoting peace, unity and friendship across nations.
The two-day futsal tournament, organised with the theme "One Sky, One Field, One Champion," features 16 domestic and international airlines. The final will be held on Saturday.State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque inaugurated the tournament at the Gulshan Youth Club Artificial Football Turf. Argentine Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcelo Carlos Cesa and Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Fernando Dias Feres attended the opening ceremony as special guests.
Speaking at the event, the Brazilian envoy said football is more than a competition for Brazilians. "Football is a symbol of joy. Winning is important, but enjoying the game is even more important," he said.
Urging Bangladeshi football fans to celebrate the sport peacefully, he said football represents peace and harmony. "Support your favourite team and enjoy the game, but let everything remain peaceful. Rivalry should stay on the field, not outside it," he added.
The Argentine ambassador said football brings together people from different countries and cultures, creating bonds of friendship among nations, including Bangladesh, Argentina and Brazil.
He expressed hope that Bangladesh's football will continue to progress and that young players will be able to fulfil their dreams, calling for such sporting initiatives to continue in the future.
State Minister Aminul said Bangladeshis are passionate about football, particularly the national teams of Brazil and Argentina.
He hoped such initiatives will contribute to the development of football in the country and expressed optimism that one day Bangladesh's national football team will ignite the same level of passion among supporters.
The tournament has been organised by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB).
The participating airlines are Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair, Air Astra, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Turkish Airlines, Air Arabia, IndiGo, Ethiopian Airlines, Air India, Thai Airways, AirAsia, Silk Way West Airlines and flydubai.
Biman Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar and its Organising Secretary Md Adnan Rahman, also tournament director, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
