Man behind the success of football diplomacy

After 45 years, Argentina has finally reopened its embassy in Bangladesh – it is truly a reflection of the love, respect, and strong bonding that the two nations and their people have been harbouring for years.  

The power of football has brought together the two countries and their people, irrespective of their geographic locations and cultural differences. And it is a rare example of the reconciliation of diplomatic ties through profound emotions for football.  

It all began when a video of avid Bangladeshi fans wildly cheering Messi’s goal against Mexico in a group stage match of the Qatar World Cup 2022 was posted by FIFA on its Twitter account. The video clip, showing an outpouring of support in front of a giant screen installed at Dhaka University's Mohsin Hall playground, went viral in no time.

Such crazy support for the Argentine football team, for Leonel Messi in particular, did not go unnoticed, thanks mainly to such big screens set up at different places in Dhaka and other cities and towns.

Nagad, a mobile financial service provider of Bangladesh Postal Department, set the platform by making massive arrangements for hundreds of fans to watch matches of their favourite team in a stadium-like atmosphere on three giant screens on the Dhaka University campus.

It was Tanvir A Mishuk, founder and managing director of Nagad Limited, who set the tone from behind the scenes to make this happen without even realising the far-reaching impact.  

Asked about whether he had anything big in mind centeringon the arrangement he made on the Dhaka University campus for avid football fans, Tanvir A Mishuk said, “We never thought our arrangements for football fans to watch world cup matches live on giant screens would have such a huge impact on connecting the two countries and their peoples.” 

Sporting blue and white jerseys and waving Argentina flags, thousands of ecstatic Bangladeshi fans gathered in front of the giant screens, jumped and cheered every goal and victory of the Messi-led team in the Qatar World Cup. Such unwavering support for La Albiceleste grabbed the attention of almost everyone across the globe – from FIFA to the Argentine Football Association to their people.

In response to Bangladesh’s undying love for the Argentina team, Argentina’s national football team took to social media and said, “Thank you for supporting our team! They are crazy like us!” Argentina people also took to social media and expressed their gratitude to Bangladesh. They created an Argentine fan group for the Bangladesh national cricket team on social media. Argentines also waved Bangladeshi flags and chanted “Bangladesh! Bangladesh!” in the stadium during their World Cup games.

The love and passion for Messi and its team during the FIFA World Cup brought closer not only fans in the two countries but also their governments. In a tweet at that time, Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero had declared that his country would soon reopen the Argentinian embassy in Dhaka, ushering in a new window of opportunities for both countries to take their relations to a better future.

Such an unprecedented bond between the two nations, created by the profound passion and love for football, has eventually led to the resurrection of a solid bilateral relationship. 

Tanvir A Mishuk and his Nagad has played a vital role behind the scenes with never-seen-before arrangements and set the platform for Bangladesh and Argentina to rebuild their diplomatic ties. 

Speaking on Argentina’s reopening of the embassy in Dhaka, the Nagad MD said, “I feel proud that Nagad has been a medium to reunite the governments of both countries after a long 45 years.”

Nagad always thinks of the country and its people, he also said, “We are always ready to step up whenever there is an opportunity to do something for the country.”