Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-World Cup fever grips Bangladesh every four years, splitting fans into two large groups supporting either Brazil or Argentina.
For most, the world’s most popular sporting event provides a respite from the political unrest that has been gripping this largely Muslim South East Asian country, reports Gulf Times.
In the capital Dhaka, rooftops are decorated with mostly Brazilian and Argentinian flags, whose colours some fans have used to decorate their homes.
Blue and yellow jerseys are sold in shops and on the street.
Bangladesh is ranked 167th by football’s world governing body FIFA and has never qualified to the World Cup, which might explain the fervent support for two of the world’s most successful national teams that hold seven World Cup titles between them.
Rivalry between the two camps mirrors deep political divisions between supporters of the ruling Awami League party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and rivals from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
“If anyone wants to understand why the AL-BNP rivalry is so violent and insane, all one has to do is observe the same trend between Argentina-Brazil supporters,” said Afsan Chowdhury of Brac University in Dhaka. “Both are common products of our tribal culture.”
Violence linked to a disputed election held in January and the war crimes trial of several Islamists has killed dozens.
Zahid Newaz Khan, a football analyst, thinks the obsession with football has nothing to do with politics.
“Bangladeshi people are worshippers of legends, heroes,” he said, adding that Brazil and Argentina have provided some of the biggest names in football, namely legends Pele and Maradona.
Brazilian striker Neymar and his Argentinian rival Messi have shone this year and could still become legends in their own right by the end of the tournament.
“I like Argentina because of Messi. I love his style,” said
Atiquzzaman Price, a businessman in the capital’s Badda neighbourhood whose rooftop is decorated with Argentina flags.
He watches Argentina games on a large screen with friends.
To tap into the football frenzy, some vendors have slashed the prices of television sets, while others are offering lucky draws.
Emadadul Haq, an executive with television assembling company Walton, said sales rose by 40pc in May from April, a few weeks before the tournament started on June 12.
Garment factory owners have halted production of clothes to meet the rising demand for flags, especially from Brazil and Argentina fans.
“We have put on hold orders for dress making for a month to arrange flag making,” said Saiful Islam, owner of Ankhi Tailors in Dhaka.
Bangladesh, the second largest garment exporter after China, has some 4,000 factories that employ more than 3.5mn workers.
An administrator in the southwestern Jessore district prompted an outcry this month when he ordered removal of all foreign flags hoisted without permission.
Prime Minister Hasina, who is a football fan, intervened, defending people’s right to support foreign teams.
“Why should people not raise the flag of their teams,” she told reporters. “There is no offence in it. Let the people enjoy the World Cup.”
After her remarks, a group of some 300 staunch Brazil supporters marched 20km between villages in the western Faridpur district carrying a 900m-long Brazilian flag.
“This march is a reflection of our love and good wishes for Brazil in the World Cup. We hope Brazil will win the cup,” said Shahidul Islam.
BBN/ANS-29June14-1:00pm (BST)
