Photo: Ministry

DHAKA, June 9, 2026 (BSS) - Diplomats stationed in Dhaka and Bangladeshi 
government officials today took part in a friendly football match at Dhaka 
Army Stadium, highlighting sports diplomacy as a means of strengthening 
friendship and people-to-people ties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth 
and Sports and the Bangladesh Football Federation, organized the match 
between members of the Diplomatic Corps and a team comprising officials of 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and former 
national footballers of Bangladesh.

The diplomatic corps team included representatives from Brunei Darussalam, 
China, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Malaysia, Norway, the Republic of Korea, 
Sweden and Vietnam.

The event was organized under the auspices of the Foreign Ministry's newly 
established Cultural and Sports Diplomacy Wing as part of efforts to promote 
sports diplomacy, foster friendship and strengthen people-to-people contacts 
between Bangladesh and the international community.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and State Minister for 
Youth and Sports Aminul Haque attended the opening ceremony.

Ambassadors, high commissioners, foreign diplomats, senior government 
officials, former national footballers and officials from the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and other ministries were also present.

The match was played in a spirit of friendship and goodwill, reflecting the 
shared commitment of Bangladesh and its diplomatic partners to strengthening 
bilateral relations through cultural and sporting exchanges.

At the end of the event, the two state ministers presented mementos to the 
members of the diplomatic corps team.