Brazil, Argentina envoys highlight football’s role in strengthening friendship
The ambassadors of Brazil and Argentina on Friday put emphasis on football's role in promoting peace, unity and friendship among nations as Bangladesh's first International Airlines Football Championship (AFC) 2026 kicked off in the capital. State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque inaugurated the two-day tournament at the Gulshan Youth Club Artificial Football Turf.
Organised by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) under the theme "One Sky, One Field, One Champion," the tournament has brought together 16 domestic and international airlines. The final will be played on Saturday. Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Fernando Dias Feres said football, for Brazilians, is more than a sport or a competition, describing it as a symbol of joy, peace and harmony.
While victory is important, he said, the true spirit of the game lies in enjoying it and ensuring that rivalries remain confined to the field. Argentine Ambassador Marcelo Carlos Cesa said football serves as a powerful force for bringing together people of different countries and cultures, helping strengthen ties among nations, including Bangladesh, Argentina and Brazil.
He hoped that football in Bangladesh would continue to flourish and that young players would be encouraged to pursue their dreams through initiatives of this nature. State Minister Aminul Haque said football enjoys immense popularity in Bangladesh, with millions of supporters passionately following Brazil and Argentina. 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.
