The independent Bengali football team made a unique contribution to the great liberation war in 1971. A jersey of that team has been officially handed over to the Liberation War Museum today. One of the members of Swadhin Bangla Dal Subhash Sahar’s jersey (No. 13) was handed over to Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque by the team’s manager Tanjib Mazhar Tanna and other players.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan, Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam, Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Akhter Hossain, Information Secretary Maqbool Hossain, Liberation War Affairs Secretary Khwaja Mia, Chief Information Officer Shaheenur Miah, Mukti And Mofidul Haque. Among the players of Swadhin Bangla football team were Sheikh Ashraf Ali, Subhash Saha, Enayetur Rahman Khan.
In this context, Sheikh Ashraf Ali said, Swadhin Bangla Dal made history in 1971. Having a place in the Liberation War Museum means that the next generation will be able to know about the contribution of Swadhin Bangla Dal in the Liberation War. Speaking on the occasion, the Liberation War Minister said that the contribution of the members of Swadhin Bangla football team is not to be denied. They are also heroic freedom fighters. Gazetted in their name.
Today Bangladesh is an independent Bangladesh after many sacrifices. “I don’t want to belittle the members of the independent Bengali football team by thanking them,” he said. They are also the best children of the nation. ‘
Independent Bengali football team is an integral part of the history of liberation war. Footballers played an important role in shaping public opinion in favor of independence during the country’s transition. During the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, the independent Bengali football team took part in exhibition football matches in different parts of India to gain public opinion in favor of the liberation war of Bangladesh and to raise money for the heroic freedom fighters. The formation of wartime football teams is a rare event in the history of the world.
The footballers did not have weapons in their hands, but in the great liberation war, foot football became as sharp as a weapon. Under the banner of Swadhin Bangla football team, these footballers played 18 exhibition matches in different cities of India including West Bengal, Bihar, Benares, Mumbai.The Minister of State for Youth and Sports said that raising money by playing friendly matches abroad for the independence of the country is rare in the world of sports.
Swadhin Bangla football team has played 16 exhibition matches in different parts of India. 3 wins and 1 draw with 12 wins.
