Football fever in Kutupalong

Last Saturday, Kutupalong was abuzz with the sound of boot striking leather and the accompanying cheers of an engrossed and sizeable crowd as a Dhaka-based football club squared off in a match against Rohingya FC.

The football team made up of persecuted refugees of Myanmar won the game 3-2 against the Footy HAGS -- a local Dhaka based recreational football club made up of corporate professionals and entrepreneurs. Footy HAGS were on a 'Friendship Tour' of Cox's Bazar.

Rohingya FC players are well versed in the southeast Asian sport of Sepak Takraw (kick volleyball) and brought their expertise into play, especially when employing the long ball.

According to their press release, the game was aimed at building a strong bond and friendship between aid workers, locals and the refugee community in Ukhiya, currently the largest refugee camp in the world.

The HAGS also distributed football jerseys, footballs and football boots to the members of the Rohingya FC team before the match, along with board games and exercise equipment for the broader community.

“Football is a fantastic way to build bridges between communities and we hope that more events like this can be organised in the future between refugees and the people of Cox's Bazar, and guests like us,” said HAGS spokesperson Bickey Russell. He hoped that the small donation of jerseys and balls would help the newly developed team for a few months.

The HAGS tour was sponsored by NDE Sports Facility, Uber, Kormo, Magnito Digital, Occult and Maya, with support from the UN Refugee Agency.