Football star Özil draws crowds at DU, inaugurates renovated medical centre

International football icon Mesut Özil visited the Dhaka University today and inaugurated the newly renovated Shaheed Buddhijibi Mortuza Medical Centre, refurbished with Turkish assistance to improve healthcare services for students and staff.

The former German national team footballer and Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder toured the upgraded facility and interacted with students, exchanging greetings and posing for photographs.

His presence drew large crowds across the campus, with many gathering near the centre to catch a glimpse of the football icon.

The university administration presented Özil with a commemorative gift during the ceremony.

The programme was attended by DU Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan, Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen, and Bilal Erdoğan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Addressing the event, Bilal Erdoğan said Özil would travel to Cox’s Bazar to play football with Rohingya children, highlighting ongoing humanitarian engagement involving Turkish organisations.

The renovation was carried out with support from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, whose President Abdullah Eren also attended the ceremony, alongside senior university officials and leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

University authorities said the renovation would significantly enhance medical support for the campus community, strengthening access to essential healthcare services within the university premises.