Sixth Embassy Football Fest underway

The sixth Embassy Football Fest kicked off in Dhaka on Friday, bringing together diplomats and international officials as 35 teams from foreign missions and international organisations compete in a two-day tournament featuring 43 matches.

The event was inaugurated at the Armed Police Battalion field in Uttara by Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East and West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who noted a record participation this year with 31 foreign missions and international organisations in the seven-a-side competition. He described the festival as “a message of peace, unity and mutual respect among nations.”

Sponsored by Saudia Airlines, the tournament includes 27 group-stage matches and 16 knockout fixtures, with defending champions Saudi Arabia aiming to retain their title.

British High Commission Deputy High Commissioner James Goldman said he hoped football would be “coming home,” while Additional Inspector General of Police Ali Hussain Fakir called the event a celebration of friendship among nations.

Italian Ambassador Alessandro De Masi and Filipino Ambassador Nina P Cainglet were among the guests present. Teams have been divided into nine groups, representing countries and organisations including the United States, Pakistan, the World Bank and UN bodies.

The festival concludes on Saturday, when Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain will present the trophies. Managed by GamePlay Limited, the event continues to promote sports diplomacy through football.